Dear Resurrection Family,
This week I've been speaking in Zimbabwe, Africa at a Leadership and Evangelism Conference for United Methodist leaders from across Africa. Our church co-sponsored this event with the General Board of Global Ministries and Africa University as a part of our work focused on strengthening churches. Delegates were selected from across Africa to attend the event held at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
I taught graduate students on leadership, undergraduates on the life of John Wesley, and seminar delegates on evangelism and leadership. I was also a part of two panel discussions with a respected professor from Zimbabwe and a key leader from the Cote d' Ivoire (the Ivory Coast). It has been a remarkable week, and I'll bring you here to Zimbabwe this weekend in my sermon which will come to you from Mutare.
The focus of the message will be The Power of God's Vision for Your Life. I'll illustrate the message by taking you to a mountaintop where in 1902 a Methodist bishop had a vision that changed Africa. I'll take you to Africa University and show you something amazing that you've contributed to every year since our church first began in 1990. I'll introduce you to three students with visions of their own. And I'll close the sermon with a question that could change how you look at life. Don't miss worship as I take you to Zimbabwe!
This week Resurrection West voted unanimously with 142 YES votes, to move forward on its phase 2 building plans and capital campaign to branch out and make room for all. It was an exciting night as District Superintendent, Rev. Mike Chamberlain, presided over the conference and Pastor Jason Gant, Campus Pastor at West, presented the latest master plan revision and detailed phase 2 plans. You can see more at our branching out web page by clicking here. I'm excited for Resurrection West!
This coming Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent - the 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to the commemoration of Christ's death and the celebration of his Resurrection (Good Friday and Easter). Lent is a season for spiritual reflection, repentance and intentional acts of devotion aimed at helping us grow in our faith. Some fast during Lent, and that's terrific. I fast during the season each year. But more important than fasting, from my perspective, is taking on a practice or discipline that helps you grow deeper in your faith. I'd like to challenge you to do two things during Lent: 1. Commit to be in worship each of the next six weekends (if you are sick or out of town join us online, but otherwise, join us in person). 2. Commit to spend time each day in study and prayer. Our Grow, Pray, Study Guide (GPS) is a good way to start. You can sign up to receive this by email every day or even download an app.Details are on our website. You can learn about other opportunities for worship, study, reflection, prayer and celebration during Lent and Easter at cor.org/lent.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, and we'll have Ash Wednesday services on February 18 at 7 pm on each of our campuses. The imposition of ashes will be offered at the service along with special music, meaningful scripture and a message of hope.
I just learned that we've had an overwhelming response to our Share your Heart All-Church Work Day on Saturday, February 14. More than 1,400 people have already signed up! I'm so proud of you, Church of the Resurrection! We've been able to add additional projects and opportunities which you can check out on the website: cor.org/shareyourheart. Stop by between 9 am and 3 pm to join in a project and learn more about Resurrection's mission activities here in the local community and around the world.
Please make sure you have your calendars marked for two very important weekends on the Leawood campus. February 21-22 we will reveal the detailed design for the stained glass window in our new Sanctuary. Judson Studios has completed the first of 165 4' x 5' panels and they are shipping it to the church this coming week so that we can show it to you next weekend. They e-mailed me pictures last night - it is very cool you won't want to miss this. The following weekend, February 28/March 1 is groundbreaking weekend for our new sanctuary at the Leawood Campus. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration that I hope you'll one day tell your children and grandchildren about! You won't want to miss worship these weekends.
Just a few more words about Zimbabwe. This country is beautiful! We've been in the eastern highlands - a mountainous region bordering Mozambique. Mutare, where we are staying, is a city completely surrounded by mountains. The average, annual per capita income here is just under $600. Many rural people live in round huts with thatch roofs. Among the amazing geological features of this country are rock formations called "balancing rocks" - they are all over - you'll be looking at a very flat field and suddenly you'll come upon one of these formations. I've shown an example at my Pastor Adam Hamilton Facebook page you can access here. Zimbabwe is also home to Victoria Falls though we did not have time to see it - perhaps next time.
I have to go - it is 10:20 pm as I write this and we will be up at 4 am so we can leave for Johannesburg. In Johannesburg, about the time you read this, I'll be visiting a school you helped to fund, for children living in a shanty town where people live in plywood, corrugated steel and even cardboard houses, one on top of another. You are helping to provide a ray of hope and I'm going to see some of the work you and our mission teams have done there before heading back to Kansas City.
Don't miss church this weekend - you'll be inspired and encouraged as you worship God and as I take you to Zimbabwe!
Adam
The Church of the Resurrection
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
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