Dreaming of a Church Plant (Part 1)

More than we ask or imagine…

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

 God has been teaching me to look beyond what circumstances say is possible.  God thrives on raising up unlikely heroes and creating something out of nothing.  Replay through your mind the great moments of Biblical history. 

A nation is established through a couple who is well beyond child-bearing years.  

The ancient world (including the line of Christ) is saved from famine through Joseph, a Hebrew slave-become-prisoner and the dream of a pagan king. 

Oppressed and powerless people go freely from their slave-drivers and take rich plunder with them.  It was not a revolt led by a fearless leader.  It was an exhausted and doubtful people with a frequently reluctant leader (Ex. 4:13; 5:22-23).  God did far beyond what anyone could have expected.  His glory was revealed.

Samuel anoints the young David as king.  He doesn’t look the part, though his brothers might.  But there’s another problem here—there’s already a king.  Nothing happens for years and years.  In fact the anointed one is persecuted, chased down, and lives life in hiding.  Was that prophet Samuel loony?  No, He trusted a God whose time schedule is different than that of the world—a God who will accomplish His purposes at just the right time.

So many more examples could be cited.  The Bible is filled to the brim with examples of God using His people to do what only He can take credit for.  I trust in the God of unlikely endings to stories, unlikely means of rescue, unlikely heroes.  I trust in the God who prefers an armorless youth with confidence in the LORD rather than a skilled warrior with state of the art weaponry—and confidence in himself.

These are some of our most capable leaders

In many ways Living Hope is weak and incompetent.  We don’t have finances.  We’re not astoundingly professional or knowledgeable.  For the most part we’re run by busy college students who are just beginning to learn about ministry. 

But God has done supernatural work in our lives.  He’s given us new eyes to see that we are unclean people who live and work among unclean people, and he’s given us a heart to cry out desperately for the kind of transformation that is needed.   Like He did for Isaiah, He showed us His glory, atoned for our debilitating sins, and told us, “Go.”  He’s given us a heart for a specific place, a small piece of NE Minneapolis where needs are visible and, frankly, insurmountable by human standards.  No worries!  He’s given us the ability to trust the God of the unlikely to do far beyond what any of us could ask or imagine.

For a long time, those who have a heart for this place have been asking God to plant a church here and to use it to show His matchless power and glory to the watching world.  Now Steve has asked us to begin a 40-day period of prayer and fasting.  We are committing to come together in crying out to God relentlessly and listening to His voice quietly. 

We begin these forty days on Tuesday, January 18.  Let me know if you’d like to join us in this and get emails from Steve through this time.  And keep checking this blog, as I will be posting about what excites me as I dream of a church plant here.  Who knows what God will do?  But I trust that He will honor our humble prayers, and I’m going to expect Him to do even greater than what I ask or imagine!

Abolishing Loneliness

I had a pretty fabulous Christmas break.  It wasn’t what I had planned: I didn’t get to read any books, spend hours playing piano, or get alone with God much more than usual.  Not a lot of introvert time.  But I did get to see a lot of people—a lot of people I love!  There was excessive food, much Dutch Blitz, jr. highers with New Year’s noisemakers, meeting new babies, and catching up with old friends.  I invented a new board game, heard my brother preach, taught a baby new words, and made ice windows for a snow house. 

I counted, and there were at least 9 parties/get-togethers with friends or relatives.  Though the introvert in me didn’t get some of that alone time, it’s wonderful to realize how many friends God has blessed me with.  The people I was with were not just fair-weather friends.  They are the people who pray for me, who keep in touch, who I can still connect with on a deep level.  I’m blown away with how many people care for me, laugh with me, encourage me, teach me and reprove me.  I don’t have a shortage of people that I can share my deepest struggles, frustrations, passions, and aspirations.  What a difference this makes in the struggles of daily life!

When I look at my life and then look at the lives of the students I work with, there is an astounding contrast between my social support system and theirs.  Some of them spend their lives on facebook, “connected” to  “friends,” but incredibly lonely.  Some, without the luxury of the internet, have the TV as their closest companion.  There are others who are surrounded by people, but there is no love binding the people together.  There is no intimacy.  They are looking for love wherever they can get it.

Loneliness.

It’s not just a problem of inner-city teenagers.  It’s a problem faced by the bulk of humanity.  We all have a God-given longing for belonging and intimacy, but sin holds us back from those deep connections with God and others.

I think one reason that many kids count Living Hope as the highlight of their week is that here they receive that love they’ve been looking for.  They feel a sense of belonging, and they develop meaningful relationships with both peers and adult mentors.  And most importantly, they discover the most meaningful and intimate relationship possible: oneness with the Triune God.

This is an especially lonely time for a lot of people.  In Minnesota winters, people don’t go out as much.  Here at Living Hope, we don’t resume our weekly programs until January 18.  Please pray for the kids at Living Hope who are desperate for love—that rather than seeking it in an unhealthy relationship, a gang, or a computer screen, they will find it in the Body of Christ.  Pray that more believers will move into this community so that they can really

One of our board members here at LHM has said that if the church would live out their calling of living in meaningful relationships with each other, a lot of counselors would be put out of business. 

But this takes intentionality.  It takes proximity and involvement in each other’s lives.  It takes consistency and commitment.  It takes dying to self.

How would life change if we lived out the “one another” commands of the New Testament?  Let’s find out.

A Birthday Surprise

I used to think God might send me as a missionary to Africa.  He had other plans for this season of my life, but that doesn't mean I don't get my share of cross-cultural experiences!

Every Tuesday I go to Precious' house to pick her up for our tutoring session.  This week marked the last tutoring session of the year, but that wasn't the reason for Precious' excitement when I walked in her door.  She knew it was my birthday, and I think she was even more excited about that fact than I was!  She had gotten me a birthday present--a beautiful gift bag, cookies, and a card.  Her mom, Kate was also home, and she had a special surprise for me: a dress and head dress from her homeland of Nigeria.  Though the blistery weather and 4-foot snow-drifts didn't quite match with this summery attire, I tried it on and modeled it for these wonderful ladies.  What a fabulous birthday surprise!

Double the impact of your gifts!

Living Hope Ministries depends on the donations of individuals and churches to be able to do what we do.  With the economy the way it is, we have been struggling financially through this year.  But God is faithful to provide!  


I'm excited to let you know about some matching gifts that make it possible to double the impact of your gifts through the end of the year.

• Donations to our general fund at Living Hope will be matched dollar for dollar up to $6500.  This fund is really what keeps us on our feet at Living Hope.  Very important!
• We are starting a new Adopt-a-Child program and Living Hope, in which you can sponsor a child for $25 a month.  This covers the costs of our programs for children and teens, making it possible for them to keep coming week after week.  It's also a way for you to invest in a child through prayer, writing letters, and even meeting from time to time.  A matching gift in the amount of $5000 will double the impact of gifts given to Adopt-a-Child through the end of the year.  

How to give:

• You may send a check, designating either General Fund or Adopt-a-Child, to Living Hope Ministries, 2511 Taylor St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
• You may give online by visiting our website at www.livinghopempls.org and clicking "Contribute now."  Be sure to choose the right designation when you submit your information.  (Please note that online giving takes out a small percentage of your gift for processing fees.)

 I know many of you reading this are very Kingdom-minded and are giving all that you can at this time.  But some of you have been given an abundance so that you may bless others.  Perhaps some of you will be called to walk by faith and not by sight when it comes to your finances.  And others of you may need to ask God, "Is there someone with whom I should share about Living Hope Ministries?"  Whatever the case may be, let us all live in joyful obedience to our Savior.

 

 

Come Empty

"Christians often complain that private prayer is not what it should be.  They feel weak and sinful, the heart is cold and dark; it is as if they have so little to pray, and in that little no faith or joy.  They are discouraged and kept from prayer by the thought that they cannot come to the Father as they ought or as they wish.  Child of God! listen to your Teacher.  He tells you that when you go to private prayer your first thought must be: The Father is in secret, the Father waits me there.  Just because your heart is cold and prayerless, get you into the presence of the loving Father.  As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth you.  Do not be thinking of how little you have to bring to God, but of how much He wants to give you.  Just place yourself before, and look up into, His face; think of His love, His wonderful, tender, pitying love.  Just tell Him how sinful and cold and dark all is: it is the Father's loving heart will give light and warmth to yours."

-Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, p. 24.

Answers Within the Precious Pages

The following is a sneak peak at what I wrote for the newsletter that will soon be coming out.  If you'd like to receive these newsletters (about 5 per year) by email or snail mail, let me know.

Since my involvement with Living Hope’s 6^th-12^th graders began about four years ago, a certain thought has kept me persevering.  It is always in the back of my mind, but I remember two specific instances when this idea came with an overwhelming force, leaving a lasting impact.  The first time was two years ago at a girls slumber party.  As I listened to the girls share about their lives, I heard a lot of pain, hurt, and anger.  I could read between the lines that they did not believe they would be able to keep themselves pure for the marriage bed.  Perceiving that they did not understand their incredible value and did not yet grasp who their God really was and the massive impact that could have on their lives, I inwardly grieved.  As I looked down at my treasured Bible, the realization came so suddenly and strongly: These girls are suffering and struggling, and the answer to all of it lies within these precious pages.

Last weekend we took 13 of our students on a retreat to a beautiful camp in northern Wisconsin.  Having a lot of time with the kids, I was impacted again by the places of pain and brokenness many of them come from.  There were stories of absent fathers, family strife, divorce, violence, anger, and deep depression.  I had heard much of it before in isolated tidbits, but to have so much pain all in one place brought a heaviness that kept me awake at night.  The first night by about 1 a.m. I realized that sleep was not coming; it was time to have a talk with my Father.  I climbed out of bed and sat in the cabin’s hallway, fingering my Bible and feeling the weight of that thought from two years before.  The answers to the anger, guilt, pain, and despair that weigh down on these kids are found in this Book—and in its Subject, Jesus Christ.

Our theme for the retreat was “The Cross”, and we were camping out on Isaiah 53 all weekend.  I read it again: “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (vv. 4a, 5, NIV).  Thankfulness washed over me--Jesus came to carry the weight of all our sorrow and every sin—not only our own, but sins that have been committed against us!  It was a comfort that I could roll the burden of these kids’ sorrows onto the strong back of my Savior and trust His healing power in their lives.

Many beautiful things happened that weekend, but there is still a long journey ahead.  As we meet each Wednesday night, our 20+ participants are being challenged to encounter God as they hear and read the precious pages of God’s Word.  It is a privilege to work with these students, and I am blessed to see God at work in their lives.  Pray that each one will come to Jesus for cleansing, healing, and the filling of the Spirit.  He is more than able to make them whole, joyful, united, and obedient disciples of Christ.

School Year 2010-11 at Living Hope

After 2 months without regular children's programs (1 month without youth group), we are finally starting up again!  This time off has been necessary, giving us a bit of rest and allowing us to recruit and train a fabulous crew of the Lord's servants for this year or ministry.  However, I speak for many of the children, parents, and volunteers when I say, "We're excited!  It's finally time!"

Let me share with you the programs we are offering this school year:

Tuesdays and Thursdays:

One by One Tutoring and Mentoring  (6:30-8:00 p.m.)  Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade are paired up with one tutor for the whole school year.  Once a week (on either Tuesday or Thursday) they come for tutoring.  Tutors pick up their students so that they have opportunities to get into the homes and develop relationships with the students' whole family.  Then they spend about an hour with the child, working on reading, writing, and math.  The evening ends with all the children coming together for Bible Club, a half hour which includes songs and a Bible lesson.

• Praise God for this program, which steps in to fill a gigantic need in the lives of these families (academic help), but--even more--makes children aware of their deeper need for Jesus Christ.
• Please pray for more tutors to come forward.  We have well over 30 kids who are waiting for a tutor.
• Pray that the tutors will work with excellence and truly help these children academically.  Pray that God will give each tutor a deep love for their student and will bring about many opportunities to share the love of Christ

Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.

Dinner (6-6:25): After picking up a majority of the kids and parents involved in our Wednesday programs, we enjoy a meal together.  This is a blessing for those families who are struggling to make ends meet, and it is also a wonderful time for relationships to be built and truth to be spoken.

Transformers:  This is a Bible club for kids in preschool (starting at age 2) through 5th grade.  Children worship together and enjoy a puppet show or skit as an introduction to their Bible lesson.  Then, in separate age groups, they have an interactive Bible lesson, memory verse, crafts, games, etc.  Teachers are strongly encouraged to develop relationships with the kids in their class and stay in touch with them beyond the Wednesday night program.  

Youth Group: The older kids (6th-12th grade) join me and my fellow leaders for a time of fun games (always for the purpose of building community and teamwork), worship, prayer, and Bible study.  A huge focus for us this year is to set high standards for the kids and help them to make their faith their own.  We will be doing service projects throughout the year, and next summer (God willing) we will take them on their first mission trip!

Adult Bible Study: This year we are able to have all the age groups at the church at once.  We are seeking to encourage parental involvement in a couple of ways. First, because the kids in Transformers and Youth Group will be learning the same topics each Wednesday, we hope to give parents ways that they can supplement these lessons with their whole family at home.  Secondly, we also want to feed the parents as much as we can.  This year, Steve will be taking adults through the Truth Project video series and the Experiencing God Bible Study.  

• Praise God for raising up wonderful leaders and volunteers and developing these Wednesday programs.  We are thankful and count it a privilege to work in God's harvest field.
• Pray that every person who comes to our programs will hear the gospel in a way they can understand and that God will open their eyes to see the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
• Pray that each volunteer will love and serve passionately, with strong commitment.  Pray that they will remain faithful to God's word, dependent on His Spirit, and do all things for His glory
• Please join us in praying for strong parental involvement.  May God raise up several adults and teens from this community to be strong Christian leaders in Northeast Minneapolis.

Sunday Nights:

Prayer and Praise: A couple of years ago, God gave me a very simple conviction: pray corporately for Living Hope.  These prayer meetings started out small, but God has been faithful to answer our prayers for more prayer warriors. Each week we meet together to worship and to pray however the Lord leads.  These nights are open to people in the community, volunteers/staff, and anyone else who wants to come to the throne with us.  This year it has been a blessing to have several guys from Northwestern College come consistently--guys who had never once been to one of our ministry programs, but who had heard about what God is doing and just love to pray.

• Pray that God will continue to stir in people's hearts to pray and seek His face
• Please pray that God will honor the prayers of His people--not only those of us who pray on Sunday nights, but also the prayers of our volunteers, our 350+ prayer partners scattered throughout the world, and other believers who are praying on behalf of Northeast Minneapolis
• Pray that God would develop a strong community through this
• Pray that parents, youth, and even children from Northeast will be excited to participate