Life Interrupted by God

It's Saturday and I am suppose to be home and enjoying the beautiful day with the family.  Unfortunately, the print shop messed up our order and this quarter's newsletter where not going to be ready for pick up until today.  In addition to being a day spent without the family, it also meant another trip down to Lancaster and the 32miles in gas and abuse.  i figured I could at least redeem this messed up situation with the help of my trusty road bike.

So, this morning I put on an empty backpack and rode the 17m (oneway) into Lancaster to get the newsletters.  Everything was going smooth and I was making really good time (over 17mph average).  I called the Mrs to let her know I would be home sooner than expected and would take the kids (and the dog) to the park so she could get some down time, too.  But, as I was leaving the parking lot to return home, for some strange reason I went South instead of North.  It eventually worked out to my advantage as it allowed me to miss some dangerous traffic and pass by a favorite ministry spot.  But today was Saturday and no one would be at this location...or so I thought.

As I was whipping by at 22mph, I couldn't help but notice someone walking out of the very venue where I frequently share the Gospel and minister.  Could someone possibly be inside and available today?  I had to find out.  Because if there is one thing I love more than riding my bike and being with my family, it is sharing Jesus!

Low and behold, inside was a single brother who admitted that he had no idea what he was doing in the office today.  In his frustration, he was just getting ready to leave when I walked in.  Within minutes we were talking about Jesus and His church and encouraging one another in the faith.  This was incredibly significant because this was not only the first meaningful conversation I had with the brother, but also one where encouragement was needed more than direction or correction.  He and his family are new members of a dynamic church, still new in their faith, and, like so many, find themselves in the minority as committed believers.

I am not sure who ministered more to who today, but I know that this day was to be about more than newsletters, cycling, or even playing at the park.  Jesus' church needed help and today was the day He was going to send an answer.  What an honor to be used and directed by the Lord and His Spirit!!

Busy Week of Ministry

This week 'officially' kicked off our summer ministry schedule.  What had been informal or sporadic meetings and outreaches have now developed into routine opportunities and appointments.  We are very, very grateful for this transition and maturity as it will hopefully lead to more salvations, disciples, and overall Kingdom growth.

Partnerships - I am incredibly blessed to have such amazing friends in ministry.  AS much as I love sharing the Gospel with strangers or training others in the faith, I equally love fellowshipping with my Brothers!  I need guys who will challenge me, hear me out, or share a passion and vision with me.  Above all, I need guys who will push me deeper and harder with Jesus and His Spirit.  I am so very grateful for my routine visits with my Brothers!

Discipleship - The Bible studies are developing a rhythm and continue to build momentum.  Not only are people growing closer to Jesus and His Word, but they are 'fleshing out' their faith in the community of the church and then changing their world afterwards.  This is leading to incredible testimonies and new people joining us each week.  We are still small, but we are making a real difference in the Kingdom!  PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THESE STUDIES.

Evangelism - Central PA has a lot of churches and a great tradition of churches and wholesome values, however, there remains a very large need for evangelism.  So many people are now walking with Jesus, despite their knowledge of His ways and having done so previously.  Additionally, new generations have emerged that do not know Jesus, they have only simply heard about Him.  Everywhere I go, I meet more people who do NOT go to church, then who do.  And what is worse is that NO ONE IS INVITING THEM TO CHURCH.  The fields of PA remain 'white for harvest.'

Time to get back to work...

Have Bike, Will Travel

I am so glad that winter is completely over and that spring is in it's 'warm' phase.  With this great weather now upon us, I can finally do the things that I love best, all at the same time!

Living in Lancaster County, I am right in the middle of all the ministry action.  Less than 20 miles from Harrisburg, Hershey, or Lancaster, I can ride my bike to any destination, on any number of road options, and share Jesus while enjoying a great cardio workout.

So, be on the look out for a guy on a bike with a Bible!  And if you like to ride too, then give me a call and let's go out 'two by two!"

Living In and As the Word

This may be a redundant post, but please deal with it...

The true beauty of our NYC church plant was its biblical representation.  Not only were we committed to preaching the Word in every meeting and event, but we emphatically strived to live out the Word in our fellowship, ministry, and purpose.  We were the Church.  We were a New Creation made up of different parts, but working towards a common goal with Christ as the Head.  We were also the object of His miracles and the means by which they were also carried out and administered to countless others.  It was incredible and miraculous, and I do not believe that I am simply looking back on history with 'rose tinted' glasses...

In our return to PA, there have certainly been moments where we feared that what we experienced in NYC may never be found again.  After visiting some very nice churches and communicating with some great pastors, great friendships and hopes for ministry have emerged but, all in all, none have been able to capture that 'living church' motif that we had come to know.  God forbid, but we found ourselves thinking like so many other believers who had 'fallen out' of church and simply convinced themselves that nothing would ever be as good as it was.  But then this happened...

Pastor Shawn and Pastor Tommy of Life Church and Rescue CC, respectively, came into our lives and allowed us to experience the living power of the church once again.  Both of these leaders have taken the mission and substance of the church seriously and are overseeing communities of authentic faith and power.  It is not merely dogma or moralism but rather holy knowledge and trust.  LifeChurch in Hershey is an ever-growing family of first-degree relationships.  People come to the church as strangers, but by the end of the service everyone is sharing phone numbers and home addresses so as to share a meal together.  It's not just PA-hospitality or the result of 'grow or die' leadership philosophy. Through the prompting of the Spirit, members are intentionally loving one another in the power of the Church.

Up in Harrisburg, Pastor Tommy and Rescue CC are conducting a prayer walk to see an entire city block be given for God's purpose and glory.  Yeah, it's ambitious; Yeah, it's youthful zeal; but, it is also grounded entirely in the understanding and experience that comes from knowing Jesus, His Call and His provision.  If God could turn the world upside down in Acts, then why couldn't He do the same today in Harrisburg?  Regardless of what the Lord provides for Rescue CC, I am confident it will be something more than could ever hope for and will exceed their expectations for the Lord's glory.  There is too much trust and experience within that Church for anything less to me manifested!

God is doing a great work in PA and we are honored to be here, at this time, to witness it and share in its activity.  If you have not yet found a church home, or are looking for one with the 'power' that the Bible speaks of, then please check out these two churches.  Each is unique in its presentation and makeup, but both share the same power, foundation, purpose, and hope.  Come be a part of God's LIVING CHURCH.

Having a Routine Makes a Difference

I have long sought the book of Acts for wisdom in effective evangelism.  While there are many, many lessons and principles described in its narratives, I believe that there is one point/practice that is often overlooked by Christians and church leaders: repetition.

From the outset description of the Early Church, the writer of Acts identifies the group as practicing a routine worship schedule (Acts 2:46).  This not only allowed the church to grow in fellowship and understanding, but it also allowed the outside, non-believing world to have a consistent witness and access point (Acts 2:47).  Christians and church ministries need to be consistently engaged in their community and easily accessible if their witness is to be effective.

This point became much clearer in my own ministry, both in NYC and now back here in PA.  For several weeks now, myself and a couple of other Christians have been gathering every week inside the same coffee shop at the same time to talk about Jesus and His Word.  The first week, no one seemed to notice that we were present, much less care what we were doing or discussing.  However, by the second week, the baristas identified us as 'weekly regulars' and began asking questions as to what we were talking about/doing every week.  The door is now open for the Gospel to be presented effectively.  The baristas know who we are, know when to expect us, and know that our purpose is a holy and relevant pursuit of God through His Word.  Salvation has come to the coffee shop because of routine discipline and obedience!

Be consistent.  Be empowered.  Be biblical.  Develop a routine of (and for) ministry.

Amazing Week, Amazing Hope

Big Guy got free Chips from Chipotle
on our prayer walk.  Turns out the Manager
was Believer too!

This past week, I was blessed to participate in an overwhelming number of ministry opportunities, each one producing amazing results.  God has simply opened up doors in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Hershey, and within the local military community that are ripe for harvest and investment.  Who would have thought that such a need existed in such measure!

To make things even better, however, is that fact that each new ministry context also provides a local church to identify with and lead people into.  One thing that we have certainly learned in all our years of ministry is that without the existence of the local church (be it startup or established), successful ministry just does not happen.  Praise God for the Assemblies of God and their strong emphasis on church planting and relationships.  Regardless of where I am or who I am ministering to, there is always a friend and church I can count on!

It was also a blessing this week to have my youngest son helping me in the ministry.  He handed out just as many invite cards as his daddy, and never complained about how far we had to walk or how many people we stopped to talk with.  My prayer is that he grows up seeing how happy sharing Jesus made his daddy, and also that he will learn just how easy (and important) it is to share Jesus with others!

Rescue has come to Harrisburg

I was able to hang out with a long time aquatint, and fellow church planter, this week in Harrisburg. AG minister, Tommy Arnold, is tearing it up in the Capital City.  He is reaching new people, providing a killer worship experience, and casting a God-size vision of redemption and hope.  I was one happy camper as I sat across the lunch table with him and heard about his past, present and future of ministry.  The guy get's 'it.' Tommy knows that he and his church are never going to be able to truly reach 'everyone,' but they can reach the 'one.'

Whether it is an issue of economics, race, income, heritage, or mere preference, there are going to be people who are simply not going to like the way that he and Rescue CC (his church) do their services and ministry; and he is OK with this.  Tommy knows who he is, and he knows that his uniqueness has been appointed by God to reach a certain demographic of people.  Rather than be ignorant of this truth or rebel against it in contempt, he and his team accept it as a gift of revelation and power.  Because God has redeemed Tommy, and all his traits and skills, he recognizes that he is a divinely appointed vessel for such a time and place for God's good use.  This affords him and his team a confidence that is beyond understanding and scrutiny, as well as, a freedom to walk in divine boldness and humility.  Knowing this truth of identity is what makes a church excel in greatness, rather than founder in gimmicks, trends, and vagueness. (God wants each of His churches to be unique and intentional!)

I love Tommy and believe strongly in the church he is overseeing in Harrisburg.  No, they are not perfect or at the level of service that they would like to be, but they are on the right path and they have the right heart and understanding.  They have an incredible service team (worship, hospitality, kids, etc.) and an equally awesome meeting space inside of the William Penn museum (with a high HD projector, stage, and comfort seating).  If you are looking for a church with 'spunk' and a serious calling to bless others, then please check out Rescue CC.