H. Henry Williams

World Vision, Bill Hybels & Max Lucado Pastors Phone Conf

Brian Burquest just sent me this summary of a phone conference this afternoon for pastors with Richard Stearns (Hole in the Gospel author and president of World Vision), Bill Hybels (President of the Willow Creek Association and Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Church) and popular author/pastor Max Lucado.

• Now is NOT the time to start your mission or mission trip to Haiti. Leave it to the professionals
• The biggest thing you can do at this point is to give and give as much as you can.
• The effort will be a phased effort...Initial phase needs money, money, money....later phases need expertise and man power with the use of partnerships
• Hybels said “pastors this is a teaching moment to your churches...it is not a time to let off, but a time to step up with our support of existing partnerships and professional organizations
• Hybels spoke from Zechariah 7:9-10

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other."

• It is time to “DO WELL at DOING GOOD”

Towering Desire

Brennen Manning writes:

Jesus' growing intimacy with his Father and the awareness of his Father's holiness filled him with an all-consuming thirst for the Father. His interior life of trust and loving surrender was not simply a matter of personal prayer, private religious experience, and delighting in God's intimate presence while being oblivious to the real world in its struggle for redemption, justice, and peace. The inner life of Jesus Christ took expression in a special, vital quality of presence in the world in the most active of situations.

There was a towering desire within him to reveal his Father in serving the poor, the captive, the blind, and all who are in need. Jesus was entirely devoured by his mission. It was the experience of the Father's holiness that created the imperative of preaching the reign of God's justice, peace, and forgiving love.

A vision of God's holiness and an experience of intimacy with the Father leads to proclaiming the reign of God through serving those in greatest need and reaching out to people far from God. Yes!

Fred

Just finished up The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn (see left-hand column). Sanborn tells the story of Fred, his mailman, and the kind of extraordinary service he provided to him and all of the people on his route.

It reminded me of another mailman I know. A few years ago, Lois use to meet weekly with a Somali woman to help her learn English. She made the contact through World Relief, if I remember correctly. On her way into the apartment building she ran into the mailman that we know from New Life Church. He asked her what she was doing and she explained. With tears in his eyes he told her that she was an answer to prayer. He explained that he prays regularly for the people in that apartment complex, mostly Somali refuges. He was so excited to see her there doing what she was doing because of her love for Christ.

That's a Fred. Praying for the people on his route. That's bringing Christ into the arena of your vocational life.

Families Serving Together

A high school (and college) friend of Lois', and her family, visited Five Oaks this weekend while in town. Dad farms just outside of Sioux Falls and mom is an occupational therapist. They were in town to help with Samaritan's Purse Christmas boxes project at the regional center in the Twin Cities. I thought it was cool to see a whole family take two days to serve Christ in this way. It's behind the scenes but necessary. The folks who distribute the boxes couldn't without this kind of help. Those boxes demonstrate and announce the good news of the Kingdom all over the world. 

I knew the kids probably had heard it a dozen times, but I told them that I've been with the kind of kids that receive these boxes and that it makes a huge difference in their lives. It's really hard to convey without seeing it yourself.

Years ago I was leading a team that was building an addition to a school in the Dominican Republic. One of the teachers was working side-by-side with us and pointed to his own son. He said, "See those shoes. They were provided by Compassion International. My son would have no shoes or books if not for Compassion International." Having been a Compassion International sponsor for years, hearing that had a big impact on me. We still sponsor a child and it's great to have seen the difference it makes firsthand.

Want to Help Sand for Haiti?

One of the big challenges for teams in Haiti is transportation. GVCM, our Haitian partner, has recently been blessed with the donation of a school bus! The bus will be used to transport larger U.S. teams that are working with GVCM in Haiti and by the church, orphanage and school in Haiti. It will ship out soon, but it needs painting. So the Haiti team is planning a "sand the bus day" tomorrow, Saturday (Nov. 10), in preparation for painting. It will take place up in Lakeville, and they're looking for about 15 people who can help. They're also looking for 6" disk air sanders to use for the day. If you can help, contact Mike Mularoni at [email protected]. You can also call the church before 3:00 p.m. to get Mike's phone number.

Compassion Action

First Saturday of every odd numbered month our church supplies, cooks and serves lunch for several hundred homeless and financially struggling folks at Dorothy Day in St. Paul. Tim and Cindy Wiant have been heading up this ministry for some time now. They're a great couple team and create a fun and productive atmostphere for all who participate. You may recognize them from our drama team. I've never known anybody that loves cooking for others like Tim does. It's fun to see someone apply their passion to doing kingdom work.

Lots of great reasons to sign up for Dorothy Day:

• It's Kingdom work ("you fed me when I was hungry").
• It's a great way for families to serve together.
• It's a great way for a small group to serve together. Our small group volunteered for this last Saturday.
• It's a great way for generations to serve together.

Warning: Wear a baseball hat if you want to avoid wearing a hair net!