Poema

Dear Grace,

The buzz is growing a little more each day as the week unfolds. Folks are trickling in from all over the nation and even the world. We got to hear about the incredible move of God among Muslims in Southeast Asia – 31 generations of disciples making disciples (1 generation is a person responding to the Gospel then sharing with another person who responds – 2nd generation – and so on). Churches are being birthed among a previously unreached people group, and the kingdom of God is advancing.

Stories like these (and the encouragement that follows) is what I had been hoping for when we felt that God was calling us to host Impact this week. You are welcome to drop in at any of the large group sessions on Friday during the day. (It will even be live-streamed to Southeast Asia!) There is something so powerful when the people of God get serious about the mission of God. I’m anticipating that Friday night’s worship and prayer gathering will be explosive! I hope you’ll join us. 

Pray for me as I close the conference on Friday afternoon. One of my favorite things to do is to encourage field workers who can often feel isolated and alone. I hope to bring them a fresh message to remind them of the beautiful Gospel they’ve given their lives to share – a Gospel they need as much as the people they are sent to. 

It looks like there’s been a lot of great conversations around the Renewal Collective that Seth and Joy Rumsey are stepping out to plant in September. Lots of folks were at the luncheon – some who were curious about this different model of church and many others who just love the Rumseys so much. Let’s keep them in prayer as the preparations intensify (and the corresponding spiritual warfare!) 

As our May Missions Focus rolls out, there are wonderful opportunities to go a little deeper. We just wrapped a two-night Family Workshop, and as I said above, we’ll culminate this week’s conference with a night of prayer and worship. Next Friday night, May 17, our missions team will be hosting a free viewing of the movie, Sheep Among Wolves, Vol 2. It’s a gripping documentary of the discipleship movement that is taking place among Iranian women. You can check out the trailer here  to discern the age appropriateness of the movie.

As well, we’ll be commissioning summer Impact trips this month and continuing prayer gatherings and resource table conversations. Remember, there’s so many opportunities intentionally. It’s more than one person or family can engage with all at once. Pick one and choose to listen to and learn what God desires to speak to you. 

I’d be remiss to spend so much of this Poema talking about our missions conference without remembering our beloved Missions Pastor, Tae. Keep praying for Tae and Kathy. They came through a bout of sickness, and they are just now on the mend. Pray for their perseverance and joy in the midst of hardship. Let’s keep praying for God to mend Tae’s body, and for God to uphold Kathy’s heart and strength. Drop them a card or swing by for a visit – it’s so important that they know we remember them. 

Church, I pray for you today to continue to gaze upon the beauty of God, remembering the great cost by which Jesus redeemed you. And in response, may your “Here am I. Send me!” lead you to unexpected places all for God’s glory.