www.engagemagazine.com January 13, 2015 Issue #105
RECENT ARTICLES:Reflecting Christ: Holism in ministry by Howard Culbertson
I had a friend who seemed fixated on “saving souls.” I never heard him talk much about the people he encountered except for counting them if they got saved. The only thing that seemed to be on his “to do” list was making sure people had a ticket to heaven.
Do not misunderstand me: Being passionate about people going to heaven is not a bad thing . . . unless all you think about is making sure their “souls” are going to be saved.
As I read the gospels, I see Jesus concerned about more things than “saving souls.” He did not separate people into bodies and souls and whatever else like my friend seemed to do. Jesus saw individuals as whole people, and He treated them as such. He spent time with them. He ate at their tables. He played with their children. He went to the synagogue with them. He laughed and cried with them. And, He announced: “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” (John 10:10, CEV).
Jesus did ministry in a holistic* way. Thus, He did not see people’s physical and emotional side as something totally separated from their spiritual side. He dispensed forgiveness at the same time he healed diseases. He helped people to spiritual wholeness at the same time He was feeding them fish sandwiches.
In Jesus’ holistic modus operandi, He saw people in the context of the society in which they lived. For that reason, He talked about ways to foster healthy relationships. Jesus’ response to a question about the “greatest commandment” reveals a holistic way of thinking. His response addressed our horizontal dimension (loving others) as well as our vertical one (loving God).
Across the years, the best world missions outreach has been been holistic like Jesus’ earthly ministry was. For instance, in the early 1800s British missionary William Carey set the pattern for Protestant missionary work. One reason Carey is called the “Father of the Modern Missionary Movement” is his holistic approach to missions.
To be sure, Carey did evangelistic outreach endeavors, including open-air preaching, but he also introduced economic development projects and literacy and medical ministries. He battled to give young women educational opportunities. He fought against the abhorrent practice of burning widows alive on the funeral pyres of their dead husbands.
If missionaries today want to really do ministy in the name of Jesus Christ, they must approach it in the holistic fashion of our Lord and Savior.
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*Some dictionaries say “wholistic” is a variant spelling of “holistic.” Others give slightly different nunaces to the two words.
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U.K. church takes community on journey to NarniaBy Kaitlyn Williams
Jesus did ministry in a holistic* way. Thus, He did not see people’s physical and emotional side as something totally separated from their spiritual side. He dispensed forgiveness at the same time he healed diseases. He helped people to spiritual wholeness at the same time He was feeding them fish sandwiches.
In Jesus’ holistic modus operandi, He saw people in the context of the society in which they lived. For that reason, He talked about ways to foster healthy relationships. Jesus’ response to a question about the “greatest commandment” reveals a holistic way of thinking. His response addressed our horizontal dimension (loving others) as well as our vertical one (loving God).
Across the years, the best world missions outreach has been been holistic like Jesus’ earthly ministry was. For instance, in the early 1800s British missionary William Carey set the pattern for Protestant missionary work. One reason Carey is called the “Father of the Modern Missionary Movement” is his holistic approach to missions.
To be sure, Carey did evangelistic outreach endeavors, including open-air preaching, but he also introduced economic development projects and literacy and medical ministries. He battled to give young women educational opportunities. He fought against the abhorrent practice of burning widows alive on the funeral pyres of their dead husbands.
If missionaries today want to really do ministy in the name of Jesus Christ, they must approach it in the holistic fashion of our Lord and Savior.
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*Some dictionaries say “wholistic” is a variant spelling of “holistic.” Others give slightly different nunaces to the two words.
Read More
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U.K. church takes community on journey to NarniaBy Kaitlyn Williams
Didsbury, Manchester, U.K. – In a world where magic meets truth and good meets evil, there is much learning and adventure to be had.
About 750 people of all ages discovered this magical world when they climbed through the “wardrobe” at Didsbury Community Church of the Nazarene’s “Narnia Experience,” 19-20 December, and took a one-hour tour of the wintery scenes of C.S. Lewis’s classic adventure,The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
About 750 people of all ages discovered this magical world when they climbed through the “wardrobe” at Didsbury Community Church of the Nazarene’s “Narnia Experience,” 19-20 December, and took a one-hour tour of the wintery scenes of C.S. Lewis’s classic adventure,The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Remarkably, just 30 people transformed the campus of Nazarene Theological College, where the church meets, into the 11 scenes from the book: Professor’s Office, the Wardrobe, Mr. Tumnus’ House, the Woods, Mrs. Beaver’s House, the Queen’s Palace, a grotto with Father Christmas, Aslan’s Camp, the Stone Table, and the Coronation Room.
The original building forming the heart of Nazarene Theological College was built in 1914 as a large mansion, and therefore provided an ideal setting for a story that began in such a house.
The original building forming the heart of Nazarene Theological College was built in 1914 as a large mansion, and therefore provided an ideal setting for a story that began in such a house.
To make the elaborate production possible, various teams were assigned to separate tasks, such as building props, sewing costumes, performing as cast, conducting public relations, writing the script, and providing audio/visual. The scenery and decorations of the experience were aimed to be as accurate to the Narnia story as possible, many resources being created or refurbished for the production, such as a lamp post, fireplaces, a gazebo, banners, and a balcony.
The only thing that didn’t cooperate was the weather. Although Narnia is a snowy, frigid landscape when the story opens, temperatures in Manchester that weekend were in the unseasonably warm high 50s F (about 15 C).
Pulling off such an ambitious program for the first time is a particularly notable accomplishment for a church that was just officially organized in November, after five years of church planting. This small church has grown by focusing on building its community relationships and a creative approach to church.
The “Narnia Experience” was intended to create a place where all generations could hear the story of faith told creatively through a well-known book and movie.
From the development of the idea that was proposed in the summer, to the mapping of each station, the “Narnia Experience” told an interactive and engaging story which focused on the book’s plot, but also highlighted themes in the Christian faith, such as giving, choosing the right paths, and sacrifice.
The only thing that didn’t cooperate was the weather. Although Narnia is a snowy, frigid landscape when the story opens, temperatures in Manchester that weekend were in the unseasonably warm high 50s F (about 15 C).
Pulling off such an ambitious program for the first time is a particularly notable accomplishment for a church that was just officially organized in November, after five years of church planting. This small church has grown by focusing on building its community relationships and a creative approach to church.
The “Narnia Experience” was intended to create a place where all generations could hear the story of faith told creatively through a well-known book and movie.
From the development of the idea that was proposed in the summer, to the mapping of each station, the “Narnia Experience” told an interactive and engaging story which focused on the book’s plot, but also highlighted themes in the Christian faith, such as giving, choosing the right paths, and sacrifice.
The production opened new connections with residents of the communities nearby, attracting people of other faith groups, as well as young families. Visitors paid 2 pounds each to cover the cost of the props and other materials.
“For the weekend, we hoped and prayed for 200 people, but instead we had 350 people come on the first day,” said Michelle Robinson, the associate pastor of the church and the floor manager of the “Narnia Experience.”
Rachael Van Dijk, family director at Didsbury Community Church, was the director of the “Narnia Experience” while Trevor Hutton, the pastor, was the producer of the experience and oversaw the “big picture” perspective of the effort.
“We have also had positive feedback from lots of parents. They appreciated the great value for the minimal money spent to enter the Experience, which included refreshments in the woods, a gift from Santa and hot chocolate and Turkish delight at the end,” said Robinson.
“Like any church, we’ve tried different things, some have been disappointing, but some, like this, have been great. It was a leap of faith for our church. It was an all-in journey. My advice to small churches is to keep trying, and do not give up,” said Hutton.
Didsbury Community Church plans on having the “Narnia Experience” again next year, and then will reevaluate it to see what event can happen in future years. They also plan on beginning quarterly outreach events to connect more to the community they have recently begun relationships with.
"I am beyond tired but overwhelmed and thankful, not only at a dream becoming a reality but a reality becoming greater than the dream," said Hutton..
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Missionary profile: Russell and Carla Frazier by Engage magazine
J. Russell and Carla A. Frazier are missionaries serving at Africa Nazarene Universityin Nairobi, Kenya, where they began their work in January 2015.
Russell is a senior lecturer, works in administration, and supervises post-graduate work. Carla serves in the finance office as an assistant to the finance director. Previously, they lived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire during their language studies, and also lived in Kigali, Rwanda, from 1999 to 2005, where they served not only the church in the Republic of Rwanda, but also Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, both of which were within traveling distance of Kigali.
They have two adult children: Seth (21) is a senior at Trevecca Nazarene University. Rachelle (26) is a student in the master’s program in teaching English as a second language at Michigan State University in Grand Rapids; she is married to Joe Oh.
Engage: How did you first recognize God’s call to be involved in missions?
Russell: During my studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, God began to speak to me about a broader ministry. I began to share with Carla my idea of serving as missionaries. At the time, she thought they were “hair-brained” ideas. As we began to explore God’s will for our lives during a period when we were between assignments, we dropped into a worship service at a church. We knew nothing of the church’s program, but it just “happened” to be on missions! God used that service to call us into full-time missionary service.
Engage: What is your favorite aspect of what you do in your present assignment?
Russell: Both Carla and I love people. So we really love the connection with the students. Whether it is helping a student who has a financial need or seeing a student freed from some bondage of a hurtful relationship through counseling or watching them grow in the faith, it gives us great joy to know that our children are “walking in the truth” (3 John 4).
Engage: What are some of the challenges that you face in carrying out your work?
Russell: One of the greatest difficulties is to see the needs that are greater than the supply. Many students want a good education but are not able to afford it.
Engage: Please share a story of a significant event or moment that has happened in your current assignment.
Russell: Graduation is always a significant event on the life of ANU. This year, the university witnessed the conferral of degrees to 1,289 graduates, a record first for the university.
Engage: How do you maintain a close relationship with God and your family in the midst of the demands of missionary service?
Russell: For me, the study of the Word of God is the best part of my day. I really enjoy, not just reading, but studying the Word. It has really come alive for me.
Engage: What are some aspects of the culture where you live that you have come to love or embrace?
Russell: Kenyans and Africans are generally a fun-loving people. They enjoy conversation on the level of banter – good humored, playful or teasing conversation. I do, too. We love the different foods and especially the fresh fruits.
Engage: What do you like to do for fun?
Russell: We enjoy traveling. We have travelled some around Kenya and different countries in Africa. I guess that is a good thing for missionaries.
Engage: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Russell: When I was a teenager, the youth group had a meal at a pizza buffet. Some of us decided to have a pizza eating contest. Guess who won the contest? Yep… that’s right: I did. How many pieces of pizza did I have to eat? 36 pieces! I am now hoping for an appearance on "Man v. Food" (American TV show).
Engage: What advice would you have for others exploring a possible call to missions, or embarking on their first missionary assignment?
Russell: I would encourage them to read and re-read the Kenosis hymn in Philippians 2 and to follow the example of Christ. The missionary must empty themselves of trappings of their own culture and assume, as much as possible, the trappings of the receiving culture.
Engage: Other comments?
Russell: One of the highlights of our weekly routine is our Sunday evening Skype sessions with our children and son-in-law. We are grateful for technology that has made it possible!
Read More
---------------------Vinnitsa church, Ukraine, grows into mission sending church by CIS Field Communications
The late 1990’s in Ukraine were marked by deep economic, political, and social crisis. Corruption and crime were prospering. Alcohol and drug addiction got a firm hold of an alarmingly large percentage of society.
“For the weekend, we hoped and prayed for 200 people, but instead we had 350 people come on the first day,” said Michelle Robinson, the associate pastor of the church and the floor manager of the “Narnia Experience.”
Rachael Van Dijk, family director at Didsbury Community Church, was the director of the “Narnia Experience” while Trevor Hutton, the pastor, was the producer of the experience and oversaw the “big picture” perspective of the effort.
“We have also had positive feedback from lots of parents. They appreciated the great value for the minimal money spent to enter the Experience, which included refreshments in the woods, a gift from Santa and hot chocolate and Turkish delight at the end,” said Robinson.
“Like any church, we’ve tried different things, some have been disappointing, but some, like this, have been great. It was a leap of faith for our church. It was an all-in journey. My advice to small churches is to keep trying, and do not give up,” said Hutton.
Didsbury Community Church plans on having the “Narnia Experience” again next year, and then will reevaluate it to see what event can happen in future years. They also plan on beginning quarterly outreach events to connect more to the community they have recently begun relationships with.
"I am beyond tired but overwhelmed and thankful, not only at a dream becoming a reality but a reality becoming greater than the dream," said Hutton..
Read More
---------------------
Missionary profile: Russell and Carla Frazier by Engage magazine
J. Russell and Carla A. Frazier are missionaries serving at Africa Nazarene Universityin Nairobi, Kenya, where they began their work in January 2015.
Russell is a senior lecturer, works in administration, and supervises post-graduate work. Carla serves in the finance office as an assistant to the finance director. Previously, they lived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire during their language studies, and also lived in Kigali, Rwanda, from 1999 to 2005, where they served not only the church in the Republic of Rwanda, but also Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, both of which were within traveling distance of Kigali.
They have two adult children: Seth (21) is a senior at Trevecca Nazarene University. Rachelle (26) is a student in the master’s program in teaching English as a second language at Michigan State University in Grand Rapids; she is married to Joe Oh.
Engage: How did you first recognize God’s call to be involved in missions?
Russell: During my studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, God began to speak to me about a broader ministry. I began to share with Carla my idea of serving as missionaries. At the time, she thought they were “hair-brained” ideas. As we began to explore God’s will for our lives during a period when we were between assignments, we dropped into a worship service at a church. We knew nothing of the church’s program, but it just “happened” to be on missions! God used that service to call us into full-time missionary service.
Engage: What is your favorite aspect of what you do in your present assignment?
Russell: Both Carla and I love people. So we really love the connection with the students. Whether it is helping a student who has a financial need or seeing a student freed from some bondage of a hurtful relationship through counseling or watching them grow in the faith, it gives us great joy to know that our children are “walking in the truth” (3 John 4).
Engage: What are some of the challenges that you face in carrying out your work?
Russell: One of the greatest difficulties is to see the needs that are greater than the supply. Many students want a good education but are not able to afford it.
Engage: Please share a story of a significant event or moment that has happened in your current assignment.
Russell: Graduation is always a significant event on the life of ANU. This year, the university witnessed the conferral of degrees to 1,289 graduates, a record first for the university.
Engage: How do you maintain a close relationship with God and your family in the midst of the demands of missionary service?
Russell: For me, the study of the Word of God is the best part of my day. I really enjoy, not just reading, but studying the Word. It has really come alive for me.
Engage: What are some aspects of the culture where you live that you have come to love or embrace?
Russell: Kenyans and Africans are generally a fun-loving people. They enjoy conversation on the level of banter – good humored, playful or teasing conversation. I do, too. We love the different foods and especially the fresh fruits.
Engage: What do you like to do for fun?
Russell: We enjoy traveling. We have travelled some around Kenya and different countries in Africa. I guess that is a good thing for missionaries.
Engage: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Russell: When I was a teenager, the youth group had a meal at a pizza buffet. Some of us decided to have a pizza eating contest. Guess who won the contest? Yep… that’s right: I did. How many pieces of pizza did I have to eat? 36 pieces! I am now hoping for an appearance on "Man v. Food" (American TV show).
Engage: What advice would you have for others exploring a possible call to missions, or embarking on their first missionary assignment?
Russell: I would encourage them to read and re-read the Kenosis hymn in Philippians 2 and to follow the example of Christ. The missionary must empty themselves of trappings of their own culture and assume, as much as possible, the trappings of the receiving culture.
Engage: Other comments?
Russell: One of the highlights of our weekly routine is our Sunday evening Skype sessions with our children and son-in-law. We are grateful for technology that has made it possible!
Read More
---------------------Vinnitsa church, Ukraine, grows into mission sending church by CIS Field Communications
The late 1990’s in Ukraine were marked by deep economic, political, and social crisis. Corruption and crime were prospering. Alcohol and drug addiction got a firm hold of an alarmingly large percentage of society.
In 1999, Roman Lebedev (photo right, with family) was a staff member of an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center in the town of Kazatin. Because of Roman’s activities, he met a Nazarene missionary, Robert Skinner (current missionary to Poland) and Pastor Volodymyr Masyuk (сurrently district superintendent in Ukraine). Roman was impressed by the number of charity programs and aid services the Church of Nazarene had for Ukrainian people and after a long period of praying and searching for God’s will, in 2001, Roma and his wife Oksana accepted Bob Skinner’s offer to move to Vinnitsa and plant a church.
From the very start, the focus of the ministry has been on the people who were labeled as “outcasts” by society, those who were left on the sidelines of life. They were not wanted by the state and even some of their relatives rejected them, having left them alone to die of drug and alcohol addiction and AIDS. At the time, there was no church that provided effective help to these people and the Nazarenes became the pioneers.
It didn’t take long for relatives and friends of the addicted people to start coming to check out the Vinnitsa Church of the Nazarene. People were witnesses to many miracles of redemption and healing and began attending services. Because of rapid congregation growth, the building became too small to fit all the people inside and with God’s help and the participation of the international Church of the Nazarene, a new church was purchased in the city center. Work & Witness teams were instrumental in preparing this Lord’s house, as well as three local rehabilitation centers where people could find deliverance from addictions through the power of Christ.
Pastor Roman and the Vinnitsa church are deeply grateful to the international Nazarene church for all of the love, prayers and support that have been given to what is now called the “Vinnitsa Church of the Nazarene.” Today, 150 people attend the church regularly on Sunday mornings. Many people have become free from alcohol and drug abuse over the past 14 years. These new creations in Jesus Christ have become productive members of society. They have started to work with their own hands, and many of them have been restored to their once ruined families.
A number of people who were raised up in Christ from the Vinnitsa church are serving as missionaries and church planters. Sergey Talalai, who came to faith in Christ through the Nazarene rehabilitation ministries, became the first missionary in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova (watch a video about the Talalai's ministry in Moldova:http://medialibrary.nazarene.org/media/wef-opened-moldova). In 2016, another former rehabilitation graduate, Oleg Kuz, plans to start a church in the city of L’viv, Ukraine.
From the very start, the focus of the ministry has been on the people who were labeled as “outcasts” by society, those who were left on the sidelines of life. They were not wanted by the state and even some of their relatives rejected them, having left them alone to die of drug and alcohol addiction and AIDS. At the time, there was no church that provided effective help to these people and the Nazarenes became the pioneers.
It didn’t take long for relatives and friends of the addicted people to start coming to check out the Vinnitsa Church of the Nazarene. People were witnesses to many miracles of redemption and healing and began attending services. Because of rapid congregation growth, the building became too small to fit all the people inside and with God’s help and the participation of the international Church of the Nazarene, a new church was purchased in the city center. Work & Witness teams were instrumental in preparing this Lord’s house, as well as three local rehabilitation centers where people could find deliverance from addictions through the power of Christ.
Pastor Roman and the Vinnitsa church are deeply grateful to the international Nazarene church for all of the love, prayers and support that have been given to what is now called the “Vinnitsa Church of the Nazarene.” Today, 150 people attend the church regularly on Sunday mornings. Many people have become free from alcohol and drug abuse over the past 14 years. These new creations in Jesus Christ have become productive members of society. They have started to work with their own hands, and many of them have been restored to their once ruined families.
A number of people who were raised up in Christ from the Vinnitsa church are serving as missionaries and church planters. Sergey Talalai, who came to faith in Christ through the Nazarene rehabilitation ministries, became the first missionary in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova (watch a video about the Talalai's ministry in Moldova:http://medialibrary.nazarene.org/media/wef-opened-moldova). In 2016, another former rehabilitation graduate, Oleg Kuz, plans to start a church in the city of L’viv, Ukraine.
Today, the Vinnitsa church is growing and extending the scope of its ministry. They have a children’s club, Sunday school for children, and an active youth ministry with 30+ young adults. The church oversees three rehabilitation centers and two adaptation centers, where people can re-learn to how live in society and also learn a trade to support themselves. There are support programs for family members of addicts, HIV/AIDS program, and a drug abuse prevention ministry in all educational institutions of the city.
Besides those ministries, a coffee house also functions actively where people in need don’t only drink hot coffee and have a sandwich, but hear testimonies of addiction recovery through faith in Jesus Christ. The church provides worship services for prisoners in three prisons of Vinnitsa region. Seminars and conferences are regularly conducted in the church for married couples to help young leaders grow and develop.
The Vinnitsa church also has a dream to open a day care center to serve disadvantaged. There are also plans to open "Kitchen of Life," a special cafe, where ex-prisoners will receive training and re-education.
One of Vinnitsa church’s top priorities is collaboration with other Christian organizations for effective service to the people in Vinnitsa, in Ukraine, and around the world. The Vinnitsa Church of Nazarene hosts such international organizations as Teen Challenge, Youth with A Mission (YWAM), Youth for Christ, and a Ukrainian Evangelical theological seminary. With a desire to reach the whole world for Christ, the Vinnitsa Nazarene Church has set its sights on an unreached people group in Central Asia where it is planning a mission trip in 2016.
The church’s motto and motivation for service is from Proverbs 24:11, "Be the savior of those who are given up to death, and do not keep back help from those who are slipping to destruction.” We praise God for the work He has accomplished through a committed local congregation in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, and a loving international church committed to missions.
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The Stirring: An alternative to Sunday morning by Jeremiah WoodI sat around the table with a group of friends having breakfast at 11 p.m. in a 24-hour restaurant in Junction City, Kansas, USA. We started a conversation with the waitress and asked if she attended church anywhere in the area. She said that her work schedule had her working every Sunday morning and as much as she would like to go to church, she just couldn’t make it.
Besides those ministries, a coffee house also functions actively where people in need don’t only drink hot coffee and have a sandwich, but hear testimonies of addiction recovery through faith in Jesus Christ. The church provides worship services for prisoners in three prisons of Vinnitsa region. Seminars and conferences are regularly conducted in the church for married couples to help young leaders grow and develop.
The Vinnitsa church also has a dream to open a day care center to serve disadvantaged. There are also plans to open "Kitchen of Life," a special cafe, where ex-prisoners will receive training and re-education.
One of Vinnitsa church’s top priorities is collaboration with other Christian organizations for effective service to the people in Vinnitsa, in Ukraine, and around the world. The Vinnitsa Church of Nazarene hosts such international organizations as Teen Challenge, Youth with A Mission (YWAM), Youth for Christ, and a Ukrainian Evangelical theological seminary. With a desire to reach the whole world for Christ, the Vinnitsa Nazarene Church has set its sights on an unreached people group in Central Asia where it is planning a mission trip in 2016.
The church’s motto and motivation for service is from Proverbs 24:11, "Be the savior of those who are given up to death, and do not keep back help from those who are slipping to destruction.” We praise God for the work He has accomplished through a committed local congregation in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, and a loving international church committed to missions.
Read More
----------------------
The Stirring: An alternative to Sunday morning by Jeremiah WoodI sat around the table with a group of friends having breakfast at 11 p.m. in a 24-hour restaurant in Junction City, Kansas, USA. We started a conversation with the waitress and asked if she attended church anywhere in the area. She said that her work schedule had her working every Sunday morning and as much as she would like to go to church, she just couldn’t make it.
That very small and seemingly insignificant conversation was the beginning of not just an idea, but a conviction for our church to be more to the community than just a Sunday morning service.
The idea of a Saturday night church began to take root. We began to ask people all over the community what they thought about coming to a church service on a Saturday night and their responses were overwhelming. Several people we talked to had the same response as our waitress that night at the restaurant, they would come to church if they could, but their work schedule simply prevented it. Surprisingly to us, there was a much larger group of people that said they wanted to know more about God, but at some point had a very bad experience at a church on a Sunday morning and had vowed never to go back.
So what we had in front of us was a group of people who couldn’t go to church or wouldn’t go to church on any given Sunday morning. With that understanding, we felt the confirmation of the Lord to begin a new Saturday night church called "The Stirring."
The Stirring was envisioned to be the alternative to the normal Sunday morning church service. There are no nice clothes, no formalities and no preconceived expectations. The Stirring is simply a place for anyone to come and freely engage in an atmosphere of uninhibited worship to our God and King as well as learn more about His character and nature through the simple and practical teachings of God’s Word.
The idea of a Saturday night church began to take root. We began to ask people all over the community what they thought about coming to a church service on a Saturday night and their responses were overwhelming. Several people we talked to had the same response as our waitress that night at the restaurant, they would come to church if they could, but their work schedule simply prevented it. Surprisingly to us, there was a much larger group of people that said they wanted to know more about God, but at some point had a very bad experience at a church on a Sunday morning and had vowed never to go back.
So what we had in front of us was a group of people who couldn’t go to church or wouldn’t go to church on any given Sunday morning. With that understanding, we felt the confirmation of the Lord to begin a new Saturday night church called "The Stirring."
The Stirring was envisioned to be the alternative to the normal Sunday morning church service. There are no nice clothes, no formalities and no preconceived expectations. The Stirring is simply a place for anyone to come and freely engage in an atmosphere of uninhibited worship to our God and King as well as learn more about His character and nature through the simple and practical teachings of God’s Word.
As we prepared for the launch date, word began to spread throughout the city. One morning I went to a local fast food restaurant to pick up some breakfast burritos for a leadership meeting. The lady who brought my food out to me asked what all these burritos were for and I explained the planning meeting we had for The Stirring. Her face lit up with excitement. She said several people had told her about the upcoming service and that she and her whole family would start attending. She proceeded to tell me how grateful she was that a church in town was so willing to reach out to people like her and offer a place to come and learn about God when she either couldn’t or wouldn’t come to a Sunday morning service.
The Stirring launched in November 2015 with more than 120 people in attendance and has continued to grow both numerically and in popularity throughout the community. We have since spoken often of Paul’s word to the Corinthians when he said, “I become all things to all people so that I might win some…” All this happened when we decided to stop offering Jesus to the community on our terms (Sunday morning only) and started sharing Jesus on the terms and availability of the community.[Jeremiah Wood is associate pastor with emphasis on church planting at Junction City Church of the Nazarene, Kansas, USA]
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---------------------Video: The Power of Being a FriendBy Nazarene Youth International
http://engagemagazine.com/content/video-power-being-friend
Cheyenne felt like an outsider until girls from her school reached out in friendship. Cheyenne's new friends were only seeking friendship and by doing so revealed the heart of Jesus. The love shown to Cheyenne overflowed to a new life and a higher relationship.
The Stirring launched in November 2015 with more than 120 people in attendance and has continued to grow both numerically and in popularity throughout the community. We have since spoken often of Paul’s word to the Corinthians when he said, “I become all things to all people so that I might win some…” All this happened when we decided to stop offering Jesus to the community on our terms (Sunday morning only) and started sharing Jesus on the terms and availability of the community.[Jeremiah Wood is associate pastor with emphasis on church planting at Junction City Church of the Nazarene, Kansas, USA]
Read More
---------------------Video: The Power of Being a FriendBy Nazarene Youth International
http://engagemagazine.com/content/video-power-being-friend
Cheyenne felt like an outsider until girls from her school reached out in friendship. Cheyenne's new friends were only seeking friendship and by doing so revealed the heart of Jesus. The love shown to Cheyenne overflowed to a new life and a higher relationship.
Read More
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