By Rob Flood

Joni Mitchell offered us some cultural observations in her song Big Yellow Taxi. The chorus of her song repeats a theme:

Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

Love or hate her political and environmental thoughts, the song is catchy.  It’s not just a catchy melody or rhythm; the song catches something else.  It catches a very human tendency to appreciate things only when they are at risk or gone altogether.  We tend to take for granted the majority of God’s goodness simply because of how it seems to be everywhere.

Imagine how you’d miss the view of white clouds against a blue sky if God suddenly drew the shades on the heavens.  Or, image how much we take our electricity or medical system for granted.  We will do well when we are aware and appreciative of God’s goodness while it is being granted to us…not waiting for such blessings to be paved over with a parking lot.

So, let me call your attention to what we enjoy of the activity of the Holy Spirit in our church.  Just this past Sunday, God personally encouraged our church through the gift of prophecy.  And we are stronger and better for it.  I wonder, though, if you’re aware that this is not necessarily a common experience for evangelicals. 

I recall a conversation I had with a senior pastor of another Sovereign Grace church.  The conversation occurred during the time I was praying through and evaluating moving our family up here to join Covenant Fellowship Church.  Here is the closest I can get to exactly what he said to me:

“I’m glad you believe in fellowship and the gifts of the Spirit.  Now, prepare yourself to live by those beliefs, because living by them every day is very different than believing them.”

You see, I held the miraculous gifts of the Spirit as possible…meaning I didn’t think that the Scriptures ended certain gifts.  But I had never been in a church that practiced these gifts…and neither had this man prior to coming to Sovereign Grace.  Out of his experience of transitioning in the practice of these gifts, he shared the above warning.

It didn’t take long for me to be tested.  Just one day later, when praying with two dear pastors from other Sovereign Grace churches, they began to prophecy over me.  I must tell you, my emotions fluctuated between sheer delight and the heebie-jeebies.  Was I actually supposed to believe that the God of the universe was speaking through these two guys?  Am I even supposed to believe that the God of the universe speaks through those folks who share from the Prophecy Mic on Sunday or in our Community Group?

Well, fast forward 4+ years to this past Sunday.  I cannot imagine living the Christian life without the wonderful care our Savior provides through the gift of prophecy.  It’s not that the words shared with me carry undue authority: that role is reserved for the Word of God.  It is simply that, through this gift, we as a church are able to hear God’s heart for us as a people.  When I hear a word of prophecy, I hear a Sovereign God bending down in his personal knowledge of a man, a woman, a group, a church, and reminding them he sees, he hears, he knows,  he cares.

In my own life, God tore up a parking lot and planted paradise.  He kindly and mercifully brought me into the riches of the presence of his Spirit.  But what about you?  Have you been here so long that you have forgotten the immense privilege it is to hear from God?  Have you grown accustomed to the prophetic word, taking it for granted?

Or perhaps you’ve never really bought into the whole thing in the first place.  Is it possible that you’re hearing and staring at a paradise of blessing and seeing nothing but blacktop?  Let’s commit freshly to examine our perspective on this privilege and avoid the Joni Mitchell trap:

Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

By Rob Flood

One of the most lasting melodies written in all of music is the theme to the end of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th symphony. We are most familiar with the English words set to the melody:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

This is a melody that has lasted two centuries. In the context of the opus of all mankind, this melody stands out as memorable, singable, and reverent. We can marvel at such beauty and be glad for such genius. But we must not lose sight of one very important and relevant fact: it was written by a deaf man.

The theme recognized by much of the western world was never heard by its composer.

Now, I don’t want to elevate Beethoven to an unhelpful place but I do want to learn something from him. Amidst his many quirks and eccentricities, along with his many sinful patterns, there was a clarity about his purpose in life. He was confident that God made him to compose. He endured a father that discouraged his original compositions. He endured a life of ridicule for his personality and insecurities. And then, most ironically, he endured increasing deafness for most of his life until it overtook him.

Any one such trial could throw a person off his game…distract him from his purpose. But the combination of all of these, and more, still did not shut down the composer inside of the heart of Beethoven.

We, like Beethoven, have been given a purpose. We are called to serve the King. We are called to adore the God of glory…the Lord of love. Not just with our flowering hearts, but with our surrendered lives.

Some of us face trials right out of the gate. Others of us face them while we’re serving. And still others face the trial of their responsibility seemingly outgrowing their ability. We are quick to fall into discouragement…quick to be distracted from what God has called us to. We are quick to pull back, protect ourselves, and pull out of the fight. When we do this, when we stop serving because serving is costly or too hard, we forget the character and power of the God we serve.

Is anything too hard for our God? God used a deaf man to write a timeless symphony. Is anything too hard for our God? The very power of sin and death were overcome with the sinless sacrifice of the Son of God. We’ve been freed and purchased and adopted and sanctified. Is anything too hard for our God? The resounding answer from all of redemptive history is, “No!”

Are there ways you’ve been serving that have worn you down? Are there areas where you feel unneeded or underappreciated? Do you feel called to serve in an area of weakness? We must remember God:

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

If God can use a deaf man to write a timeless symphony, he can use you to serve in weakness.

By Doug Hayes

Church history has taught us that ministries of mercy are often erroneously equated with evangelism. Even today, some would say that we proclaim the gospel by meeting physical needs, breaking the chains of oppression and setting people free from multigenerational conditions of poverty and suffering. At best, evangelism is an afterthought; at worst, it’s not a thought at all, or it’s presumed to be inherent in deeds that reflect God’s justice and mercy.

On the other hand, some would claim that it’s not the mission of the church to care for the poor at all. They would view a strong emphasis on social justice as inherently worldly, an exchange of the eternally glorious, life-giving gospel for the culturally popular goal of making poverty history. The job of the church is to evangelize, not to combat poverty. After all, they might argue, what good is it to fill the stomachs of people who are on their way to hell?

So which one is it? Is the church to be concerned with evangelism, or is care for the poor supposed to be a high priority for God’s people?

Yes.

It is the job of the church to preach the gospel, and it is the job of the church to care for the poor. Too often, these two high callings are treated as an “either-or” proposition, but Scripture calls us to a “both-and” embracing of the two. We are called very clearly to preach the gospel, and we are called very clearly to serve the poor. One should not be done to the exclusion of the other, nor does our obedience to one fulfill our mandate for the other.

It’s important to recognize the difference between evangelism and mercy ministry. They are members of the same family, but they are not one and the same. The former is the all-important proclamation of the gospel, the latter a demonstration of the gospel’s effect on the life of the one who would proclaim it. Both are beautiful displays of the many-faceted mercies of God, whose compassions come in many colors though they flow from one source in the cross. And both are priorities that must find expression in our lives if we are to be faithful to our calling as disciples of Christ.

I believe that we as Christians need to become more comfortable with the fact that God is glorified through our merciful actions, regardless of whether or not they lead to the salvation of the person we’re ministering to. If you faithfully care for a suffering friend or family member over a period of years, yet that person dies without Christ, you have not wasted your time. You have greatly glorified God through perseverant, merciful action! This may seem like a startling statement at first, but Scripture does not command us to serve marginalized and suffering people merely as a pretense for evangelism. We care for the poor as a means of reflecting the merciful and loving character of God. When we faithfully do that, his name is glorified. The eternal results are his alone to determine.

Does this mean we’re off the hook for evangelism? Can we simply care for people’s physical needs and leave it to God to make the gospel known to them? No. The greatest mercy of all – the mercy that makes all other mercies possible – is God’s desire to forgive repentant sinners through faith in Jesus Christ. If we neglect this greatest mercy, can we honestly call ourselves compassionate people?

When Paul and Barnabas received their commission from the other apostles to take the gospel to the Gentiles, they were specifically exhorted to "remember the poor" (Gal. 2:10). Despite their primarily evangelistic mission – in terms of salvation history, perhaps the most important evangelistic mission ever – they were not excused from the priority of serving the poor.

And don’t you love Paul? This man is not looking for excuses! Rather, he says that remembering the poor was the very thing he was eager to do. Regardless of his unique role as evangelist and church planter, Paul was eager to be a “both-and” Christian.

Where the gospel is preached, it is to be accompanied by care for the poor. Where the poor are relieved of their suffering, it is to be done in the name of Christ with the good news of the gospel on our lips. May these two towering mandates of Scripture be for us – as they were for Paul – the very thing we are eager to do, for the glory of God and the advancement of his kingdom.

By Andy Farmer

Editor’s Note: The following is a testimony from Christy Ware, who was a team leader at Youth Camp. Christy is a teacher and coach at Delaware County Christian School. She knows teens and she knows camps.

I wanted to attend Youth Camp in order to serve the body I have grown to love, and to get to know others in the church. My plans seemed simple, but God did much more than I could imagine.

I had the privilege of serving the Black Team with Nathan Lee and Kelsey Farmer - two past honor campers. Apparently they were stacking our deck, because I’m a “newbie” and need lots of help. The campers of the Black Team were excited, some tentative at first. As the week went along, we started to care for each other so deeply. Our discussion times were real and personal, and once again reminded me that while I might be a few years ahead, my struggles are so similar to my younger brothers and sisters. This was evident as I watched the students minister to each other, not only during ministry time on Friday night but almost more importantly, during meals and competition and simple walks down the path. This is the next generation – what beautiful anticipation – not just of what God has in store for their lives in the distant future, but in their families, schools and friendships NOW!

Jared said that the happiness of the church is bound up in the youth. Covenant loves its youth. They serve them. The pastors love to come and pour into them. I was so impressed that a guest speaker didn’t deliver the messages, but our pastors. The gospel wasn’t watered down. No, it was amplified message after message. The true gospel, not emotionalism.

Besides the deep encouragement received through observing the passion of the youth and the church leadership to shepherd them, I personally was challenged to decrease and to allow Christ to increase.

This is the testimony of team leader Jason Stowell

One thing that really stuck out to me, and is something that always sticks out to me about Covenant Fellowship, is the love for Christ that the youth have. It is something that I just haven't been a part of outside of this church. I was also affected by the care that I saw in the other team leaders. I left camp thinking "I want these kids to love Jesus as much as some of these leaders do". I felt very encouraged as well as challenged by the heart for our youth that I saw come out on the fields, in the team leader meetings, and during times of ministry.

The last night the Spirit of God really met us. I loved how that Friday night was, in most ways, just like every other meeting we had that week. There wasn't any special effort made to purposefully work up the kids emotions in order that there might be a response. The way that it was executed seemed to be just like all other times we gather to praise God and hear from His Word... but the fruits of that night were unique and powerful. As soon as the message was over, one of the very first kids that went forward was a kid that didn't want to even go to camp in the first place and almost didn't. He was followed by almost the whole camp. A lot of them went forward to pray for and encourage those who went up first, but even that was wonderful to see. The openness and desire for the work of God in their hearts that night was powerful. That night, in our cabin discussions, the two kids that hadn't hardly spoken a word all week during group talks were the ones that were speaking the most about the conviction taking place in their own hearts and their fresh desire to live in obedience to Christ in specific ways. One of the guys broke into song near the end of the meeting. That was a sweet time.

It just seems so obvious to me that over the years, as the Gospel has been faithfully preached in this church, that God has blessed our church. The truths of God's Word run deep in the hearts of the older and younger generation, and the fruits of that were evident at camp this year (as last year). Both years that I have lead at youth camp I have left feeling grateful that I got to be a part of God's continual goodness to our church. To be a part of a camp where the Gospel is preached, ministry is happening, the Spirit is at work, love is abiding in God's people is just such a privilege. It is one that I often take for granted, but it wasn't something that I took for granted after camp. It was so good to be reminded of God's faithfulness yet again.

By Rob Flood

A recent article came out in LifeScience referencing a study done on human personalities and whether they change over time or not.  The article is titled, “Personality Set for Life by 1st Grade, Study Suggests.” 

The article says flatly:

Our personalities stay pretty much the same throughout our lives, from our early childhood years to after we're over the hill, according to a new study.

The results show personality traits observed in children as young as first graders are a strong predictor of adult behavior.

So, join me on a little journey back to when you were 6 or 7 years old.  What were you like?  What things interested you?  How did you interact with others?  What was your perception of people?  … of work?  …of your teacher? 

Now, join me back in the present.  What are you like?  What things interest you?  How do you interact with others?  What is your perception of people?  …of work?  …of those in authority over you?

Now, consider the following statements from the article and see if you agree:

"We remain recognizably the same person," said study author Christopher Nave, a doctoral candidate at the University of California, Riverside. "This speaks to the importance of understanding personality because it does follow us wherever we go across time and contexts."

If you agree and see continuity between then and now, then praise God.

• He is the one who knit you together in your mother’s womb and made you in a fearful and wonderful way.
• Even the parts of your personality that you wish had changed, but haven't, serve as platforms for praise.  They keep you close to God and regularly aware of your dependence upon grace...not personality growth.
• God uses the personality He's given you for your good, the good of others, and His glory.

If you disagree and see discontinuity between then and now, then praise God.

• He is the one who orchestrated events to occur that have shaped you into the man or woman that you are now.
• You likely are seeing the impact of the gospel in your life.  Earth shattering truth like the foregiveness of sins and peace with God will change a person...even a personality.
• God uses the personality He's given you for your good, the good of others, and His glory.

The bottom line: God is still God.  I’m glad there are folks that study this stuff and write their findings.  I’m glad because, in all honest work that observes mankind, we can always detect ways to fall on our faces and worship God. 

Your personality…love it or hate it…is a creation from our God intended for his purposes.  Whether it is to draw you close or use you mightily, it is a tool in the hand of our good and gracious Creator…who knew what He was doing when He formed you.

By Rob Flood

Summer is almost over. Do you remember June 1st? You know, the day you had a boatload of helpful plans for the summer. This summer was going to be when those books got read, those neighbors got reached, those household jobs got done. Well, let me break the news to you gently: THE END IS NEAR!!!!!

August is just around the corner and the summer is in its waning moments. If this reality floods your heart with panic and guilt, then your summer has been as productive as my summer. I don’t know what happened this year, but I want the police to find the thief who stole July out of our summer calendars.

Take heart, fellow mourners. There is time yet to be redeemed. If you thought this summer was the perfect time to have your neighbors over to build relationally with them, there is still time. If you had your heart set on finally attending a Second Saturday, you’ll be glad to know that August has one…it’s on the first Saturday.

Or, maybe you wanted to read through the New Testament this summer. If you open your Bibles, I assure you the thief who stole July has left your Bible in tact…it’s in there still. If this was the summer you were going to learn more about the fathers of the Reformation, their deeds have not changed just because the month does.

There’s still time.

We live lives that orient around the summer, with all new ambitions scheduled to begin the fall. Yet, the call of mission…of treasuring, proclaiming, and growing in the gospel of Jesus Christ…is a 12 month call. If you had high hopes for June, July, and August…you can still fulfill those goals for August, September, and October. While the end of summer is near, we need not panic. Ours is not a summer calling. We are not called to present our summers as living sacrifices, but our lives. And, if your life is like mine, it’s lived all 12 months of the year.

As much as we’d all have preferred to have July back, we must remember that God’s mercy and grace are new every morning…not just on summer days. Take heart…but still take action.

By Rob Flood

Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Psalm 3:8

Psalm 3 is said to be written by David when he was fleeing from his own son, Absalom.  This is the same man who, a few decades earlier, had been fleeing from the reigning king of Israel, Saul.  The same man who charged into battle against Goliath.  The same man who is said to have slain ten thousands in battle.  David knew something about dependence…and he knew that salvation belongs to the Lord.

Like David, we take nothing of worth to the case of our salvation.  All of our righteous deeds are like filthy rags ((Isaiah 64:6).  Any presentation of our own case works to indict us…not save us.  If we are to be saved, in any and every case, it is entirely because of God.  One song that captures this well is Augustus Toplady’s classic hymn, Rock of Ages.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

When we get out of the way and stop trying to contribute to our own salvation, then we hide in Christ.  The most fruitful and appropriate action for us to take in salvation is to hide in Christ.  Only there can be we saved from the wrath of God.  Only there can we have our blood-stained garments washed pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Yet, we do try…don’t we.  We rest in the confidence of our own efforts, in the contribution of our service, in the depth of our sorrow over sin.  Our hands, our zeal, our tears are all wonderful when deployed in service to Christ, but useless in salvation.  If we are to be saved, it must be God alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

Lower…still lower.  Whatever perspective we have of our own sin…no matter how humbled we are by it…it is never low enough to be accurate.  Toplady declares the simple truth: We ought bring nothing in our hands.  All that we have…all the good that we’ve achieved…all comes from God.  Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians 4:7 when he says, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”  We come naked…we come helpless.  And we receive dress and grace.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

And when all of life is through, should we be given final moments of reflection, we will look back on the fruit and grace poured through us and see only the fingerprints of Christ.  We pass through death to eternal life and we rise to worlds unknown.  We do it on the merits of Christ.  We rest only in the work of Christ.  When we are at our best…functioning purely and totally in grace…we hide in Christ.

What a God we have to treasure.  What great news we have to proclaim.  When we know something of dependence, we share the same vantage point as King David.  We say humbly…we saw thankfully…we say with great jubilation… “Salvation belongs to the Lord!”  Our God saves.

By Rob Flood

 When we think of carrying out a mission, we can become pretty task driven.  For those of us who get serious about it, we can be caught putting our heads down, our shoulders to the grind stone, and get about the work of getting the work done. The problem with this, however, is that, when we look up, we can find ourselves carrying out the mission alone.

 There is an added temptation for those of us with families.  Why?  Because we can think that carrying out the mission with our family is the same as carrying out the mission in community.  As important as it is to labor in the gospel with our families, we need a vision that sees beyond that. 

 Let’s just take a moment to define the mission of our church for those who may yet be unfamiliar:

 We exist to treasure, proclaim, and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 When this clearly defined mission is being carried out in the context of community, there are two key symptoms that we will see:

1. Speaking the mission: When community is functioning in mission, we will talk about it with others committed to the same mission. Questions such as, " How are you treasuring God during this season?" will come up in conversation when you are talking with friends. Testimonies of times you’ve shared the gospel, even when it’s gone bad, will be common when talking with brothers and sisters in this church.  We will seek out discussion of specific areas of sin in our lives and solicit help from others.
   
   In short, when mission is functioning in community, we’re going to talk about it.  We’re going to live open lives before each other and seek help while we also offer help to others who are seeking help. 
    
2. Doing the mission:  Our shoulders ought never be the only ones set to the grindstone of the mission.  Too many of us have been called to labor together for any of us to labor alone.  Whether that means hitting the streets doing evangelism or whether that means pursuing prayer for a challenge at work or in your home, community means that we do it with others.
   
   We study the Scriptures, we parent our children, we pursue purity, we handle our finances, we resolve conflicts…together.  We do it in community.  This is how the mission happens when the mission happens well.

 There is a great obstacle that creeps up separating mission from community: pride.  In our pride, we don’t always want people knowing where we are weak, where we need help.  We don’t want to do street evangelism with someone because they may see just how scared we are.  We don’t want their help in parenting, not because we don’t need it, but because we’d have to admit we don’t know what to do.

 Just think…if the dam of our pride could just burst, the grace that would flow into our lives.  In each and every area of mission, community is an asset, not a liability.  It is what God intended when He saved us to the Body of Christ.  It is the only real way to treasure, proclaim, and grow in the gospel of Jesus.

By Rob Flood

It was hopeless.  Surrounded by heavy darkness, no shred of light to be found.  The picture was bleak.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…(Ephesians 2:1-2a)

Our trespasses and sins cause death.  The abundance of our sins, the depth of our trespasses, don’t just block out the light; they create death.  But are we truly that bad?  Surely, there must be some good in us…some good in our efforts.

…following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…(Ephesians 2b)

Following the prince of the power of the air? When did I do that?  Is it possible that all the while that I wanted to do good, I was merely following the evil one?  Could it be that the darkness and death of my sin so blinded me that what I thought was right was really all wrong?

Hopelessness evolves into judgment.  Death into outer darkness.  But at least that’s as bad as it gets.

...among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:3)

No…it’s worse.  It’s not just death.  It’s not just darkness.  It’s not just judgment.  It is wrath.  Wrath from a holy God directed at me…a child of wrath.  My trespasses and sins are so numerous, the wrath stored up for me must be immeasurable.  The thought of it causes me to fear.  Not fear death…that part is settled.  But fear how awful it must be to die under the wrath of God.

Every effort I make to escape the inevitable digs me deeper into this pit.  I claw for a handhold.  I scramble for a foothold.  There are none.  I am trapped without hope for escape and without hope for rescue.  Is there really no way out of this? 

But God…(Ephesians 2:4a)

“BUT” God?  What could that mean?  …”BUT” God.  Surely, as a child of wrath, it should say, “AND” God!  And God judged.  And God was angry.  And God, being full of rage, cast down judgment on the wicked sinner.  But it doesn’t say “AND”…it says “BUT.”  What could this mean?

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us…(Ephesians 4)

This holy God who has stored up wrath is rich in mercy?  Wait…he loves us with a great love?  Could he have forgotten my many trespasses and sins?

…even when we were dead in our trespasses…(Ephesians 2:5a)

No…he remembers.  He must remember because that is the stage for his mercy.  Only a God who is rich in mercy, who remembers all my sins, could love me with a great love. 

Hope begins to enter my heart.  I see a glimmer of light from far overhead.  In an vain attempt, I search for a handhold.  I step for a foothold.  There are none to be had.  Is this all a joke?  Some form of divine sarcasm.  Am I being tormented with hope only to receive his wrath anyway?  I allowed myself to think that God was merciful enough to provide a way to climb out of this pit.  There is still no way out!

…made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— ⁶and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:5b-7)

Wait…I feel something.  It’s not a handhold or a foothold.  No.  I feel someone lifting me.  The light is getting brighter.  I’m getting out of here.  God is not providing an escape route…he’s providing a rescue.  I’m not climbing out of this myself…I’m being delivered.

I see.  I get it!  God is making me alive in Christ.  He is saving my by grace.  He is raising me up with him and he is seating me in the heavenly places.  He has completely spent his wrath for my many sins.  But where?  Where did it all go?  Oh my…he poured it out on Christ.  What did he do?  I’m the one who sinned!  He didn’t do anything.

He took it for me.  He took it to rescue me.  He had to do it.  It had to be him.  My efforts only worsened my condition.  His work delivers me out of it.  This is incredible.  Incredible love!  Incredible mercy!  Incredible.  Just incredible!

May we never forget that the heart of the mission is rescue.  We’ve been rescued.  We share the deliverer with others. He rescues them. 

By grace we have been saved!

By Rob Flood

Fitting reading into my schedule remains a regular challenge for me.  But it is not because I have a busier schedule than those who read regularly.  It is because they have prioritized it as a necessary discipline and I have not.  And they are better for it.

As a church, we have set aside a portion of our building to honor the place that books should hold in our lives.  As a team of pastors, we seek to fill that book shoppe with solid, helpful, gospel-centered material.  When appropriate and helpful, we recommend certain books to coordinate with sermon series that we’re doing.

We do all of this for one reason: we are better off when we read.  Reading is a means of grace in our lives.  Reading engages our minds, challenges our hearts, and keeps our convictions in check.  Reading fuels our learning and creates a hunger for more.  Many would attest to the fact that reading has changed their lives.

To that end, Jared posted earlier this year on books every Christian should read.  Here is a link to that post:

http://www.covfel.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=52015&articleId=13174

Meghan Mellinger has written a blog speaking directly to women on the same subject:

 

http://www.covfel.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=52015&articleId=14162

Also, CJ Mahaney has helpfully and interestingly posted on reading throughout his blog posts.  In fact, under the heading of “Reading,” he has posted 33 separate posts.  Here is a link to the category for your perusal:

http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/category/Reading.aspx

Join me in seeking to reprioritize our lives so that reading gains its rightful place in the priorities that find their way…regularly and routinely…into our schedules.

By Rob Flood

 

Once upon a time, when kings and kingdoms were as common as minivans, it was well understood that everyone bowed and kneeled when a king entered the room.  It was more than customary…it was appropriate.  And it didn’t matter which king it was.  If one king passed and another took the throne, the people didn’t stop bowing.  They bowed because of the position of the king.

 

This is not entirely foreign to our thinking.  When a bride enters the room, it is customary that we stand.  When a superior officer enters our presence, we salute.  Not because we like him or dislike him, but because of who he is.  Who he is determines our response. 

 

Have you ever wondered how we ought to respond when meditating or worshipping God?  The wonderful hymn, Praise to the Lord,  directs us in how we ought to treasure God.  It gives us specific instruction on what to do and how to do it when we come before him. And, in seeing its example, it affords us the opportunity to examine our current responses as compared to those we are called to.  Here are some selected verses:
 

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.  

Someone who is treasuring God is drawing near to him and singing his praises.

Praise to the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth? 

When we are treasuring, we are aware of the many times we have been protected and sustained.  We are thankful for a God who grants our desires in all he ordains.

Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee. 

Our thoughts of what God is capable of lead us to treasuring.  In all things his mercy and goodness are with us.

 

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him. 

The great call to all Christians:  come and praise!!

 

Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for yea we adore Him. 

All of this praise, all of this awe, all of this greatness ought to lead us to exuberance.  God’s people ought to be bursting at the seams with adulation for God. 

With all our God is capable of…with all our God has done…with all our God has promised to do, the “Amen” ought to ever be on our lips.  Our joy to come before him should be audible in worship on Sundays.  How could such a blessed people do anything other than throw all they are and all they have into their singing of praise to God?  As a church that seeks to treasure the God of the gospel, may the jubilant, exuberant, explosive “AMEN” ever be on our lips.  And may our response rise to reflect the greatness of our God.

By Doug Hayes

After 130-or-so years of history and only 18 perfect games ever pitched, Major League Baseball has recently witnessed two – and very nearly a third – all in the space of a month.  A perfect game is when a pitcher retires every single batter he faces in a full 9-inning game.  If anyone reaches base for any reason at all (even a fielding error by one of the pitcher’s teammates), the standard of perfection is violated.  It may be a stellar performance, but it’s not a perfect game. 

Amazingly, in the recent near-miss, it wasn’t a hit or a walk or even a teammate’s error that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galaragga his place in baseball immortality.  After facing 26 batters and getting 26 outs, the 27^th batter topped a weak grounder to the right side.  It was a close play at first, but the call from the umpire was “Safe!” and just like that, the dream of perfection was lost. 

On the replay, however, it was clear from every angle that the runner should have been called out.  It’s a play that umpires will see correctly 999 times out of 1,000, but this blown call came at the worst possible moment.  After the game, the umpire broke baseball protocol and went to the Tigers locker room to apologize – through tears – for his error.  

But this is where the story turns beautiful, as Galaragga’s attitude was even more astounding than his pitching performance.  Those of us who are accustomed to seeing players throw temper tantrums on the field probably would have excused one in this instance.  We certainly would have understood a bit of righteous indignation after seeing the replays that clearly showed the umpire’s call to be wrong.  “Nobody’s perfect,” Galaragga said, when asked for his response to the blown call.  He gave the tearful umpire a hug to make him feel better.  His reaction was remarkably gracious, and it has won him more favor than a perfect game ever could have achieved. 

I don’t know whether Armando Galaragga is a Christian, but he appears to understand something about the relationship between justice and mercy.  James said, “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13).  For Armando Galaragga, justice would demand a perfect game.  If this rightful outcome has been rendered impossible by an umpire’s bad call, then some sort of condemnation should be in order… at least a sneering comment indicating that mere apologies can’t undo the damage.  There’s no going back now to restore the perfection that should have been. 

But mercy recognizes that we are all flawed.  In my interactions with my fellow man, mercy must triumph over judgment because I am also in need of mercy (sometimes by the boatload).  The moment I begin requiring perfection of others is the moment I have lost touch with how merciful God has been toward me. 

There can be a temptation, when attempting to care for people who are suffering because of their own sin or poor decisions, to limit mercy based on judgment.  This often masquerades as an alleged love for justice, but it forgets what Armando Galaragga remembered… none of us is perfect.  None of us have received what we truly deserve.  I shudder to think of what my life would be if not for innumerable expressions of God’s grace, giving me good where I have not merited it with my actions.  I surely would have made a shipwreck of my life by now, if not for the restraining mercy of God.  I wouldn’t even be around to write this blog post.  Mercy has most definitely triumphed over judgment for me!  How could I possibly demand perfection of others?  

 

Armando Galaragga may never have another chance to complete the perfect game he justly deserves, but he has done us a far greater service through his attitude than anything he’ll ever do with his million dollar right arm.  Blessed indeed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

By Rob Flood

As a church, we exist to treasure, proclaim, and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We all agree with that.  We rally around the truths contained in that sentence.  Each element of that sentence has its own particular expressions in our church.  But, as we carry out our mission together, are we aware of what feeds and supports and defines what it means to treasure, proclaim, and grow?

The regular preaching of God’s Word is both fiber and fuel of the muscles of mission.  It is fiber in that it provides the substance and material of the muscle.  It is fuel in that the Spirit flows through our mission like blood and adrenaline through the muscle.  He gives the mission, defines the mission, and enables the mission.  And he does this most commonly and powerfully through the preaching of his Word.

Some churches have set aside proclaiming the Word for the sake of mission.  It isn’t friendly enough to guests.  Or, it isolates the church from the community.  Isn’t that time better spent sharing the gospel rather than sitting in front of a long, Christian speech?  If we remove the preached Word, how, then, will we treasure, proclaim, and grow in the truth?  By removing it, we strip our mission of muscle.  By removing it, we leave ourselves passionately sold out to a shell of a mission that will end up with little substance.

When the preached Word is central to our worship, we are more aware of the glorious truths of the gospel that we treasure.  We know God to greater depths.  We see his blessings in greater breadths.  His holiness seems higher.  His mercy greater.  His love richer.

When the preached Word is central to our worship, we see the vast hopelessness of the lost and we are driven, through truth, to proclaim.  Our fear of man is diminished in light of the truth of eternal judgment.  Our compassion is greater for their condition.  Our patience is greater when seeing or suffering from their sin. 

When the preached Word is central to our worship, we understand and appreciate what it means to walk with the Lord and we grow in the gospel of grace.  We grow more into Christ’s likeness as we know more of Christ.  We grow in grace as we experience the grace and love of God’s commitment to his children. 

As a church, we are strengthened in our mission through our commitment to the preached Word.  And, as a church, our mission is furthered as we commit to purposeful listening to the preached Word.  We come to church, not to endure the message but be transformed by it.  We sit under preaching not to pay our dues but to hear from God. 

The preaching principle is not simply a commitment to preaching, but a commitment to subject ourselves to the truth and power contained in the preached Word.  As a church, we ought not be satisfied that we set aside time each Sunday for preaching.  Our joy, our satisfaction in preaching ought only be achieved when we have placed ourselves under that preaching.  When it has had its intended effect on our souls. 

We must never pit preaching against mission and we must never allow a devotion to mission to pull us from a devotion to preaching.  On the contrary, if we are serious about mission…we will be ever more serious about preaching.  And thankful for it.

By David Mayinja

As I write this blog, my heart overflows with gratefulness to God for the many friends He has given Covenant Mercies as an organization. Many of these friends set aside last Friday evening to attend Portraits of Hope, our main fundraising event of the year. They enjoyed an evening of mingling with friends, hearing updates about Covenant Mercies work with orphans in Uganda, Ethiopia, and Zambia; and bidding on David Sacks photography of the beautiful people and landscapes of Zambia. They opened their checkbooks and gave generously with the goal of enabling Covenant Mercies work to go further.  $60,000 has been raised so far, with more art yet to be sold on the web site.   

Many of Covenant Mercies friends are going beyond financial giving and sponsoring children enrolled in our Orphan Sponsorship Program, by volunteering to serve in different capacities on mission trips planned to the different locations where we work. This summer and fall, a number of teams are in the works to serve in diverse ways the children we care for and the communities in which they live. They include:

Grace2Uganda – This is a group of seven members of Grace Bible Church of North Philadelphia that will be traveling to Uganda in June to serve the teachers and students at New Life School in Nagongera. Covenant Mercies began construction on the school in the fall of 2008 with the goal of providing the children with a quality Christian education. Currently of the one hundred and forty students registered in the school, ninety eight are enrolled in the Sponsorship program. The group from Grace Bible Church, mainly composed of educators, will be teaching some classes and will also conduct some teacher training workshops. One of the team members who is a registered nurse will be helping our nurses to develop a Wellness program for the children.

Education Consultants – Two members of Covenant Fellowship Church with a wealth of administration experience in Christian schools will dedicate part of their summer to travel to Uganda to work with the leadership of New Life School on long-term strategic development. They will be helping the administration to create a 5-year strategic plan and will also conduct a workshop for the teachers focusing on the goals of Christian education.

Medical Team – A team of medical professionals is being assembled to travel to our other Ugandan program, in the remote village of Kiburara, this October. The team will bring much needed medical care and drugs to the children enrolled in our Sponsorship Program, and to the community at large.

How to pray

• That God would prepare each individual who will be involved in these mission trips to serve with a servant attitude and with humility
• That God would provide financially for all individuals volunteering to be part of these trips
• For safety in travel and during the stay, and for good health for everyone involved
• That teams would work well together with our staff and brethren on the ground
• That the gospel would be proclaimed powerfully through works of mercy

Thanks for praying with us.  And thank you for the many ways you partner with us in serving the orphan, the widow, and many other underprivileged people throughout the communities in which we work.

By Stefan Bomberger

I want to introduce you another one of our ministry team leaders, Tom Fitzpatrick (Fitz). Fitz and his wife, Maggie, have been faithfully spear-heading a ministry for our church called “Grafted In.”  Together they are seeking to help men and women transition from prison into Covenant Fellowship Church. I’ll let Fitz tell you more about it in his own words:

“Grafted In” is our form of prison ministry aftercare. Now, when I use the buzzword “aftercare” it can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Anything from finding people work or housing to helping them get their G.E.D. Though these are all great ways to help ex-offenders, we’ve focused our care specifically on meeting their spiritual needs. We do this by helping graft released inmates into Christ and his church. Hence our name, Grafted In.

Jesus said in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” He said that we are branches that need to remain in him if we’re to bear any lasting fruit. Wonderfully, the people we serve have already been coming out to the Sunday evening services our prison teams provide at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility. At those services, seeds are planted and cultivated. Once released, however, these branches often struggle to persevere or bear much fruit. As Jesus said, they can doing nothing, because they do not abide in Christ. This is where our ministry seeks to serve.

We provide mentors who meet one-on-one with inmates four to six weeks prior to their release. These inmates have expressed beforehand a sincere desire to attend our church. Upon release we walk alongside these brothers and sisters to help them connect. This includes sitting with them at our Sunday services, taking them to the Bridge Course, and even helping them find a Community Group. The goal is for us to provide mentors who will commit for one year, to help the newcomer fully integrate into our church family. 

We also provide ongoing training, and even a co-mentor for spiritual, emotional, and physical support.  Our goal is for these young seedlings to grow strong in Christ and bear much fruit for his glory.

Praise God for Fitz, Maggie, and the other mentors in our church! It’s hard enough being a newcomer at a church like Covenant Fellowship. Now imagine coming in here right out of prison. How tempting it would be to assume you will never fit in. Grafted In becomes our hands, reaching out to these folks with love, acceptance, and most importantly, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By Doug Hayes

I believe my primary calling as a pastor and church leader is to raise the profile of “the poor,” and to lead materially-prosperous Christians in taking initiative toward them… for the blessing of both the recipient and the giver.  This is what I love to do, and I pinch myself regularly as I consider the dream job I have in leading Covenant Mercies.

But another calling has emerged as I’ve become a regular visitor to some of the poorest nations on earth, and developed friendships with people living in some of the poorest rural villages and urban slums those nations have to offer.  I like to refer to it as my secondary calling, and it has to do with the way we think about “the poor” whom we are serving. 

There is a tendency in the affluent West to define Africa (and Africans) almost exclusively through the prism of poverty.  Most of the images we see in the media accentuate themes of suffering and need:  AIDS, war, hunger, poverty, death.  Reality, yes; but far from the whole story.  I believe I am called not only to spearhead efforts to address these serious needs, but also to round out the picture we see when we think of our African brethren.    

Walking through an Ethiopian slum, it’s difficult to overlook the indignities of life there.  Living in close proximity to open streams of sewage, putting on clothing that is little more than rags… these things can take a toll on a person.  But they can never eradicate the true dignity and beauty of people made in the image of God.  This is particularly evident in the children, who may be living in the most deplorable conditions but who always find ways to play, to giggle, and to be joyful in the simple pleasures of life.  Portraits of Hope is one effort to round out this picture.

You may think of Portraits of Hope merely as a fundraising event.  It certainly is that, and I hope people will arrive with checkbooks open, ready to give generously toward our ministry to orphans in Uganda, Zambia, and Ethiopia.  But this is so much more than an opportunity to bring in needed funds.  David Sacks has a wonderful gift for drawing out the beauty and dignity of his subjects.  While you will see evidences of poverty in the images on display, you will more often take note of the irrepressible joy, beauty, and dignity of people made in the image and likeness of God.  In fact, their beauty is made all the more notable by the spare backdrop of their hardship.    

That’s why we call it Portraits of Hope, and that’s why I see it as an investment into both my primary and my secondary calling.  Your attendance will be a blessing both to you and to them.  Hope to see you there on May 21^st! 

By Rob Flood

Much of this space on Fridays is dedicated to evangelism, church planting, and mercy ministry.  By design, this space is meant to encourage and equip us in the area of our mission:  We exist to treasure, proclaim, and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When we are lacking fervor or motivation to proclaim…when we are lacking mercy for others…it is often true that we have somehow lost sight of the wonders of Christ and the glory of the cross.  And so, we must cycle back and treasure the amazing Savior.  We must treasure his abundant mercy.  And we must treasure the dumbfounding reality that he showers that mercy upon us.

In his wonderful book called The Bruised Reed, puritan author Richard Sibbes said:

If the sweetness of all flowers were in one, how sweet must that flower be? In Christ all perfections of mercy and love meet. How great then must the mercy be that lodges in so gracious a heart? Whatever tenderness is scattered in husband, father, brother, head, all is but a beam from him; it is in him in the most eminent manner.

It is a wonderful gift from God that he gives us morsels of his mercy in the various relationships we have in our lives.  We get to experience a bit here…a bit there.  But if we elevate the “morsels” in others above the “feast” provided in Christ, we will lose all perspective and treasure others more than Christ.

The mercy…the love…that we see in others is but a beam from him.  Whatever good we experience from those in our lives is coming from the Father of all Good Gifts.  As wonderful as friends, siblings, parents, spouses, and children may be, they each have only the sweetness of one flower.

It is in Christ and Christ alone that all perfections of mercy and love meet.  And, because all perfections of mercy and love meet in him, the treasure we deposit there is secure.  Morsels come to an end.  Though tasty and enjoyable, they are but morsels.  Feasting on Christ, where mercy and love reside in the most eminent manner, will never disappoint.  There, the taste of mercy and love never fades.

And when we are treasuring Christ in this way, we are best positioned to be a morsel of mercy and love to others.  It is then, in the midst of treasuring Christ, that we most naturally proclaim and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When the sweetness of our Savior is refreshing our souls, we hunger for others to experience his mercy…his love.

This is the seedbed for orphan care.  This is the seedbed for Second Saturdays.  We have a wonderful Savior who has showered his love and mercy upon undeserving sinners like us.  In the humility and gratitude of our salvation, our regenerate souls yearn to share such grace.

May we, as a church, remain in a proclaiming church.  But may we never strive to proclaim without treasuring the God of the gospel we proclaim.  Then…then we will grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By David Mayinja

In September 2009, Covenant Mercies welcomed Moses Etyang as Program Coordinator in Nagongera, Uganda…our largest program.  Moses is a gifted administrator and also an associate pastor with Nagongera Gospel Center, the church with whom we partner to administer our Orphan Sponsorship Program.   In his position as an associate pastor, Moses faithfully served Covenant Mercies as a volunteer on numerous projects before joining the ministry on a full time basis.                      
                                                    
                                                        

In the eight months Moses has been with our organization, he has, through his excellent leadership, helped the staff in Nagongera become more efficient in serving the growing needs of our sponsored children.  He is excited and encouraged by the obvious impact of the program on the children and how they are flourishing under the faithful sponsorship just like you.  In a recent conversation he pointed out how the program has impacted the children and the community:

 

Education – Many of the children were destined to drop out of school at an early age to support their households.  Now, they are able to stay in school as the program pays for their educational requirements including tuition, uniforms, school lunches, and school supplies. By providing for an education these children, their potential vocational opportunities have been increased. There is now hope for them to escape the cycle of perpetual poverty and subsistence living they were otherwise destined for.

Basic needs – The program has eliminated the looming threats of hunger, homelessness, and no health care.  Nutritional supplies are provided on a monthly basis to every child and their caregivers.  Covenant Mercies has also established a medical clinic, a well stocked pharmacy, and two full-time nurses to extend crucial medical care to the children and their caregivers. Those that have AIDS have been enrolled in a treatment program and are receiving treatment and counseling.  All the children in the program have been provided with treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria infections.  In the absence of all this help, many of these children would not have been able to afford food or to access medical care.  As a result, many would have probably died of malnutrition or treatable diseases. But now, because of the work of Covenant Mercies, God’s mercy is evident and serve as a significant witness of Christ’s love to the community of Nagongera.

The family homes - Covenant Mercies built five orphan family homes which have offered shelter and family life to over fifty orphaned children that do not have any relatives to care for them. They are receiving parental love and a Christian upbringing.  They are strengthened daily by the devotions conducted by their caregivers in the homes and are growing and thriving spiritually, as well as physically and emotionally. Some of these children were at the point of death when they were taken in by Covenant Mercies, and others were homeless. They are now getting regular meals; they are healthy and enrolled in school. They have been protected from many dangerous situations and exploitation.

Water – The wells that have been drilled in the community have provided safe clean water for the children and for many other people in the surrounding areas. They no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water from stagnant pools or dirty streams. This has reduced occurrence of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.  This alone has significantly improved the quality of life of the children and people in the community.

As sponsors of the children in our programs and supporters of the work of this organization, you have made possible all that Moses bears witness to. You are giving many children hope and a chance to reach their God-given potential. But it’s more than that.  Through these acts of mercy, performed in the name of Christ and by those locally who serve Christ, these children experience the truth of the gospel each day.  And, far more than simply reaching their God-given potential, they are able to actually come to faith in Christ.  Thank you for giving these children these eternal opportunities. 

 

If you want to play a part in the mission of Covenant Mercies in Africa by sponsoring a child, click here.

By Rob Flood

 

When we think of the mission of the gospel, we often think of using tools such as tracts or even drink giveaways.  We can think of car washes and guest Sundays.  These are all good and useful and ought to be utilized for the glory of God.  But do you ever think of our website?

 

Our website is chock full of tools that can be used for helping others, encouraging others, even leading others to Christ.  Here’s a quick overview:

 

• VIDEO – Each week, normally on Thursday, a video clip of Sunday’s message gets posted on our website.  It often captures a compelling point from the message.  These can be very useful in posting on personal blogs, Facebook pages, etc.  Additionally, the urls can be sent to friends you’ve been witnessing to or even to souls who you know to be struggling in those specific areas. 
• SERMON ARCHIVES – The audio of each our Sunday messages is available going all the way back to 2008.  Wow!  What a resource!  Considering the amount of Scripture that has been covered in that period of time, along with the amount of topics that have been addressed, this is food from the Word for folks to ingest.  Again, links can be posted on blogs or Facebook, emailed, or converted into CDs to be handed out.
• CHURCH-WIDE BLOG – Every Monday through Friday, a new blog entry is posted.  Mondays feature a word from our Senior Pastor.  Tuesdays feature something specifically intended for the ladies.  Wednesdays feature either marriage or parenting help / encouragement, Thursdays feature something specifically intended for the guys.  And Fridays, like this one, are intended either to help you in the mission or inform you of things related to the mission.  Short to read…easy to recommend.
• ACTS BLOG – Jared is regularly posting entries on this series-specific blog.  This may be further thoughts on something from the message or information / quotes that never made it to the final message on Sunday.  Definitely worth checking regularly.
• NON-SUNDAY AUDIO – There is much teaching available on our site.  Venues include those in Family and Married Life such as our recent Married Couples Meetings.  They also include Youth and Cross Culture, Singles and College meetings, and discipleship courses such as Grow and Vital Life.
• OUTREACH – There are resources and information available for our many outreach venues and materials.  If you have a heart for the lost and for evangelism, there is plenty there for you.
• COVENANT MERCIES – A heart for the poor?  …for the orphan?  Covenant Mercies can help out.  Regular Friday blog contributors Doug Hayes and David Mayinja busily and effectively serve orphans throughout several nations in Africa.  You can learn of the ministry, find things to pray for, and ways to participate through the website.

 

And these are just some of the tools openly at your disposal as you consider your own soul and the souls of those in your neighborhoods, your families, and your places of work.  And none of them cost you a dime.  The are possible because of generous giving, but free for the user.  No risk…lots of value.  Now, those are some effective mission tools at our WEBSITE!

By Stefan Bomberger

It's Mission Friday again, and I wanted to introduce you to one of our newer Ministry Team leaders, Jack Dempsey. Jack and his wife Lisa were both saved by God through the Alpha Course (now the Bridge Course) a few years ago. Jack is a financial planner and discovered Ron Blue's financial ministry called Kingdom Advisors. He's since become a regional representative for the ministry and hosts a monthly study group here at our facility every second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 am.  This nation-wide ministry has been great at influencing both believers and unbelievers with the gospel and the word of God. I'll let Jack tell you more in his own words:

When I first discovered Kingdom Advisors, I knew I found something special. That’s because Kingdom Advisors is designed to train and equip financial influencers, like me, to think biblically about money and work. These “influencers” include vocations like mine, financial planning, but also attorneys, accountants, insurance advisors, mortgage professionals, and more. Using Ron Blue’s curriculum, we’re strategically trained how to integrate our faith with our practice. We’re also taught how to graciously deliver biblical advice to both our Christian and even our non-Christian clients.

I’m realizing more and more how God has placed me, as a financial influencer, in a unique role. As a “Kingdom Advisor” I can guide my clients in the temporal, but also the eternal. For example, I’m learning how to provide advice and tools on how to save towards college and retirement, while also encouraging clients towards generosity, thus building up their storehouse in heaven. I’m increasingly seeing how God's Word regarding money and finances is extremely relevant for everyone. The wisdom and principles found in the Bible truly are transcendent for believers and unbelievers alike.

The study group we hold at the church is a way for our members, who are financial influencers, to build community together. Also, as other professionals from the area become aware of Kingdom Advisors they are being introduced to our church. Though Kingdom Advisors is newer here, testimonies to God's faithfulness are already coming in. For example, one advisor recently shared about how this group has helped him remain faithful and content through the recent stock market turbulence. His clients have noticed this and appreciate it. In fact, he’s even been able to share his faith with a few of them because of it. Another advisor who is coming out was raised in a church but knows little of the Bible…he was excited to learn more about the Bible. He mentioned how he’d really like to start to reading the Bible more on his own. What a joy to serve the Lord through my job and this Ministry Team!

You can see how God is using this ministry as both an in-reach and out-reach here. Praise God for Jack and others like him in our midst! I'm spurred by his example to remember that regardless of our vocation – whether pastor, plumber, or planner – it is still a “calling” from God...a divine assignment to live out and share the gospel where we’re placed.  And through our vocations we’re able to faithfully serve the Lord, minister to others, and spread the name of Jesus Christ!

By Doug Hayes

A few years ago I almost drove off the road as I was listening to an NPR report about public outrage over the rising cost of cable television.  A service that had cost my Dad about $7/month when he first signed up during the early 80s was now taking a much heftier chunk out of people’s budgets… and they were livid.  Consumers were demanding that the government step in to regulate the cost of cable TV, and the government was actually doing it!  

As someone who has never been a cable TV subscriber, I found this somewhat bewildering.  When was cable adopted into the family of air and water, which the government has an interest in ensuring for all citizens?  I guess Sting was right… we want our MTV!  And we will even use the coercion of government to get it at a price we can afford.  

Wherever you may fall on the spectrum of opinion regarding free markets vs. government regulation, surely you will agree that a person who doesn’t like the increasing cost of cable TV has the option of simply canceling the service.  While one cannot stop using air or water, it’s difficult to argue that Comcast’s Triple Play belongs in the same category.  I was reminded of this liberating truth recently when I received a letter from a sponsor in our Orphan Sponsorship Program.  We’ll call him Stan.  He was writing to let me know how glad he was that he had prioritized the sponsorship of his child over his MTV.  In his own words:

“Canceling my Television and giving this money to support a child is one of the best things I ever did.  It makes me feel glad I can do this, and I don’t miss my TV at all.”

Stan went on to say that he’d recently lost his wife of 61 years.  In such circumstances, many people would use TV as a comfort, as noise to fill the emptiness of an all-too-quiet house.  But he is more content to invest that money into the life of a child whom he will never meet in this life.  In this, Stan reminded me of the early church in the book of Acts.  

Have you noticed the way the early Christians sacrificed for the needs of others?  Multiple times in the Acts account, we hear that there was not a needy person among them because they were actually selling their possessions to be able to give to others.  And this practice that began for the benefit of their own friends and neighbors eventually spilled over for the good of unknown people far away, as they heard of an impending famine in Jerusalem and gave generously toward the saints there (Acts 11).  

I have had to ask myself… when was the last time I sold some of my possessions so that I’d have more to give to others in need?  Honestly, I don’t know that I’ve ever done that.  Most of us tend to have enough cushion in our budgets to give without feeling much pain.  But I wonder if the current economic tightening isn’t an opportunity to grow in giving like the early Christians gave.  

This kind of giving can be countercultural and liberating.  I don’t know the specifics of Stan’s situation, but apparently his budget presented him with a choice between continuing his Sponsorship or continuing his TV service.  He didn’t have enough to fund both.  Our consumerist culture would tell him that life won’t be the same without his cable TV (or without 4G phone service, or fill-in-the-blank with the next cool innovation to come down the pike), but Stan knows better.  He has chosen to “be generous and ready to share,” and in so doing he has taken hold of “that which is truly life” (1 Tim. 6:17-19).  He has chosen wisely, and he would testify that it’s one of the best things he’s ever done.  He doesn’t miss his TV at all!  

After all, it isn’t air or water.    

By Dave Harvey

Editor’s Note:  Periodically, Dave Harvey posts blogs on CJ Mahaney’s blog for pastors called “View from the Cheap Seats & Other Stuff.”  The focus of Dave’s contribution is the same as our Friday focus here at the CFC blog: mission.  Below is a post from Dave about our churches in Juárez, Mexico.  As you pray for our churches, pray for the people and nation of Mexico as they endure and seek to survive the recent and ongoing bouts of violence.

You may have seen reports of the murders of three people associated with the U.S. Consulate in Juárez, Mexico, earlier this month. Sadly, these are among the latest of thousands of murders in the city of Juárez and elsewhere in Mexico as the country battles drug traffickers. The weekend of the Consulate shootings, 28 other people were murdered in Juárez alone. Stunning doesn’t quite capture it; it’s devastating, a social shock to the people of Juárez.

We recently received some updates and prayer requests from Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Cd. Juárez, the Sovereign Grace church in that city, and wanted to pass them along to you. Will you join us in praying for believers in Juárez?

First, some more specifics. As Mexico’s war on the drug cartels continues, the city of Juárez is embroiled in violence. On average, at least seven people have been murdered every day since 2009, including more than 500 murders since January. The violence is not limited to those involved in drug trafficking—innocent bystanders, including children, are among those killed. In addition, the city is facing a crime wave in which anyone can be a target of kidnapping, armed robbery, and extortion.

This ongoing social catastrophe has far-reaching effects. About 5,000 businesses have closed, and some estimate that as much as 15–20% of the city’s population has left. Those who remain face the daily threat of ruthless violence.

Carlos Contreras is senior pastor of Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Cd. Juárez (Sovereign Grace Church of Juárez). For more than 20 years this church has been a faithful gospel witness in their city. They have trained a number of pastors and leaders and in 2006 planted another church in Aquascalientes, Mexico. And they’re continuing to preach the gospel faithfully in spite of the trials they’re facing.

After describing the violence in Juárez Carlos writes,

But there is good news also. The church in the city remains strong and has apparently become the only remaining source of hope for many people. We all pray and we pray a lot, and we pray boldly and we pray publicly for God to intervene in a miraculous way to change things and to do justice. But mostly we pray for revival and for the salvation of thousands.

Under the leadership of their pastoral team, Iglesia Gracia Soberana is taking the gospel to the streets. The most recent session of their Alpha class (an introductory class on the gospel) graduated 63 students, more than they’d ever had. The church is airing evangelistic programs on local TV. Earlier this month, 150 church members went to two busy intersections, handed out about 800 evangelistic tracts and about 200 New Testaments, and prayed for about 300 people. On Saturday they hit the streets again, handing out 6,000 invitations to church, 300 copies of the Gospel of John, and 200 New Testaments—and praying for 1,300 people.

Here’s a slideshow of their outreaches: 

My friends, this is authentic Christianity.

By David Mayinja

Have you ever received news that immediately turned your world upside down?  That’s what happened to Su Shannon and her husband the first week of January 2000. Su had recently suffered her second miscarriage and now her doctor informed her that she would never be able to bear children again!

The following weeks were difficult as Su came to terms with the news. Her dream of bearing more children had come to an end. Nonetheless, she and her husband and their two sons carried in their hearts a persistent hope that one day the Lord would make it possible for them to adopt a child that needed a family.
 
In the spring of 2004, they moved into a larger home with the hope of adding to their family through adoption. Unfortunately, the beautiful home they purchased turned out to be a white washed tomb that ended up depleting all their savings and retirement funds. As they later discovered, they had unwittingly purchased a house with toxic mold and infested by bats. They had to evacuate the house and throw away many of their earthly possessions.  They had just enough money to decontaminate the house but could not do the needed renovations. They chose to avoid getting into debt and trusted that the house would be restored as the Lord provided for them.  Hopes for adoption were deferred indefinitely

Five years later, they were still living with plywood floors, a makeshift kitchen, and two incomplete baths. They were tempted to get into a loan and invest in completing the renovations. However, the house had become a precious life lesson from the Savior reminding them that their treasures were not here on earth.  Su’s husband Danny led the charge as he directed their efforts towards investing in God’s work.  The house could wait, eternal investment couldn’t. With this in mind, the family decided to sponsor a child through Covenant Mercies Orphan Sponsorship Program. In the same period of time, they got news that Covenant Mercies was organizing a medical team to go and serve the community in Kiburara, Uganda. Su who was a professional nurse desired to serve on the team, but they did not have enough money to cover all her costs for the trip. So her husband coordinated a surprise 50th birthday party to raise the needed funds. They were able get enough contributions to add to their own money. In the midst of all the excitement Su realized that the team was actually going to serve in the community where their recently sponsored child lived!  She could barely wait to meet her.

On the third day after the team’s arrival in Uganda, Su finally met her sponsored child, Phiona. Recently Su commented on what that day was like for her: “That day will remain imbedded in my heart and mind forever! This beautiful little girl walked toward me with an inviting smile that immediately melted my heart.  Without hesitation she wrapped her little arms around me. It was as if we were re-uniting, not meeting for the first time! I told her about the joy that she had brought into our lives. Tears streaming from my awestruck eyes, I told her of our love for her and of our nightly prayers on her behalf. As we talked I discovered that Phiona was born on January 2nd, 2000!  The very week she was born, our family had begun to cry out to God for another child.  The Lord heard our prayers.  He had a marvelous plan.  Our journey was long and at times filled with sorrow; but our God in His perfect time had joined to our family a little orphaned girl from a remote village in Uganda.”



 
The Shannons are currently sponsoring two children through Covenant Mercies Sponsorship program. We are grateful to God for them and all of you that have sponsored children. We continue to trust God to make similar sovereign connections between new sponsors and our waiting children.

By Doug Hayes

I’ve been accused of consulting the Farmer’s Almanac for the timing my recent three-nation African tour, enabling me to get out of Dodge just before the skies opened up and dumped a historic accumulation of snow on our region.  Those uncharitable assumptions aside (I can’t help it if I’m lucky), my brave wife deserves a lot of credit for sending me off during such a time.  Not once did she ask me to turn myself around, come back home, and grab a shovel.  

My wife’s gracious response is partly due to the fact that she is a godly woman who understands her role as sender to be every bit as important as my role as go-er.  But her response to these challenging circumstances also points to the ministry of the body of Christ, our local church family, which kicked into high gear while I was half a world away.  

Truth be told, Rachel is always well cared for when I’m traveling.  We have a long list of friends who have insisted that she call if there’s anything she needs.  Often she has had no reason to take them up on their kind offers, but this time opportunities were in abundance.  Keep in mind, these are men with their own families, driveways, roofs, and gutters to worry about, taking time to concern themselves with mine.  There’s nothing like three feet of snow to bring out the best in the body of Christ!

When I arrived back home, I made a point of thanking everyone personally who helped my family while I was away.  One brother replied, “I felt in some small way that I was reaching Africa with every shovel full of snow.”  Now, I think he was also quite simply extending Christian love to my family and me, but his sentiment captures a beautiful truth about the way the body of Christ works.  All of us have different roles, capacities, and spiritual gifts, which provide us with various opportunities to serve.  Some of us may consider our roles fairly mundane, like shoveling snow.  But here’s the thing… as we serve one another faithfully in the role God has called us to play, we acquire a stake in the larger work the body is doing.  

Not all prophesy, not all preach, not all travel to Africa to build programs for orphaned children.  But as we serve one another according to our varied giftings, we all make a genuine, indispensible contribution toward the overall ministry of the church.  My friend was not merely shoveling snow at my house; he was making it possible for me to travel to Africa in February, confident that my family would be well cared for in my absence.  In that sense, he truly was “reaching Africa with every shovel full of snow.”

The same truth applies to every person who supports the ministry of Covenant Mercies or Covenant Fellowship in any way.  Perhaps you wish you could fly over there and lay your hands on those precious children yourself.  The reality is, if you give money so that David Mayinja or I can go, if you volunteer your time on the home front, or if you commit yourself to holding us up in prayer, you have made a contribution that is every bit as vital!  That may be hard to believe, but it’s absolutely true.  The whole body is built up, strengthened, and launched into service as each part does its work.  

When people thank me for the work I’m doing, I almost invariably reply – after making a point to receive their encouragement and gratitude – “We’re doing it together.”  Those aren’t obligatory words meant to deflect praise or project false humility.  Rather, they are my way of recognizing the beautiful reality that everything I do in ministry is only possible because of the participation of the broader body.  Nothing I do could be done by me alone.  

We’re reaching Africa together, through shovels-full of snow, through prayers, through gifts large and small, through words of encouragement, through time volunteered sacrificially, and through myriad other ways.   This is a body work, or it’s nothing at all. 

By Rob Flood

Tragedy is a very ironic thing, isn’t it?  In the midst of things that devastate our lives, hope strangely sprouts up out of the rubble.  You can sense this at funerals when, in the midst of losing a dear loved one, everyone’s minds and hearts turn toward eternity.  The question the worldly things they’ve valued and wonder about some greater purpose designed by some greater being.

You may recall the strange sprouts of hope in the wake of 9/11.  Great tragedy overwhelmed the country…especially those of us in the Northeast Corridor.  Yet, that very evening, churches were full of frightened, praying people.  The streets of NYC were at the same time filled with devastation and gospel sharing.

The strange sprouts of hope don’t make tragedy a welcomed visitor.  I mean, who wouldn’t turn back time and undo 9/11 if they could, right?  Yet, in the midst of unalterable and unwanted tragedy, God seems to be up to something of eternity.

In tragedy and trial, we all sense our need for God to one degree or another.

It’s the times of peace when we have to remind ourselves of our need for God. The times when the paycheck is coming, when work is plentiful, when friends abound, when health is good…these are the times of danger in our lives. 

Good times can cause us to forget our need…to live as though we have no need for God.  We turn to false gods of this world and find them sufficient.  They scratch our itch for something beyond us without costing us anything.  These are the times when we must beware.

In good times, we all struggle to sense our need for God.

Our need doesn’t change…we are as needy for God now as we were on the day we were created…as we will be on the day we pass on.  And our God doesn’t change.  He is as totally sufficient for all of our needs and being now as he ever was…or ever will be.  Our circumstances change.

Deuteronomy 8:11-20 gives us a great caution that begins with:

Take care lest you forget the LORD your God…

It warns the people of Israel of their prosperity.  When things are going really well… Take care lest you forget the LORD your God.  The manna was a daily reminder of their need for God in the desert.  Now, their bellies would be full from the produce of their new land.  And their need for God would be a bit more abstract.

It is here were we have two opportunities for the mission of the gospel.  One for us and one for others.

For Us:  We must take care that we don’t forget.  That we never out grow or out prosper our awareness of our need for God.  We must avoid loading the freight of our hope in the basket of our prosperity and accept both good and bad from God, trusting that all things will work together for our good.

For Others:  We have an opportunity to view others through this lens.  When things are good, we can help others check their souls…that they remain dependent upon God.  And when things are bad…when tragedy hits…we are prepared to share with them the unchanging love of an unchanging God for the unchanging state of our sin.

Sprouts of hope are not accidents…they are grace.  And trial and tragedy, though unwanted and unwelcomed visitors, need not come alone.  With God, they come with hope.

By Carlos Garcia

Have you ever visited another country where the predominant language is one you don’t understand? If you have, you can probably relate with many of our ESL students. Coming to the USA from another country is a life-changing experience. I know this first hand because I lived it myself a number of years ago. Moving to another country is not merely a geographical change. It typically involves many sacrifices, such as being removed from one’s network of friends and family, sometimes financial challenges, and in many cases, having to learn a new language.

Many times foreign people want to be integrated to American society but language difficulties can become a barrier. In the Scriptures, we see God’s heart for the foreigner and his desire to love and provide for them. Deuteronomy 10.18-19 says:

“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.”

As we seek to serve in this ministry, our prayer is that we can be God’s instruments. We can do this by showing God’s love to our students in the context of teaching the English language but even more important is our reaching out and extending our friendship and love to them.

One would think that serving in ministries such as ESL is a one-way ministry, where we are only giving to our students.  It is actually a two-way ministry.  While we help our students to learn the English language and culture of this country, we also learn much from them and their situations. For example, in seeing their experiences, we are reminded how we ought to see our time in this world from a spiritual perspective. 1 Peter 2:11 calls us to live as strangers in this world, looking forward to our future and permanent home which is in heaven. 

Last December we had an opportunity to see an example of this as we shared a meal with all our students.  Everybody brought a dish from their country of origin and our time was a blast!  We learned from their traditions, their countries and tasted their wonderful food.  As I talked with many of them, they shared with me that living in this country was a great experience, full of opportunities and new challenges.  At the same time, some of them also shared with joy experiences of their home countries and it was evident that they had a longing to return there someday.

As I reflect on this experience and on 1 Peter 2:11, I am reminded that spiritually speaking I am also a foreigner in this world. I must think of my time in this world as temporary in contrast with the eternal life awaiting me with the Lord. This is something I tend to forget on a day to day basis. But this verse and my experience with our ESL students are a living reminder of how I must live in this world.  I should be yearning for my time in eternity, longing to someday be there as my joy-filled destination.

If you would like to learn more about ESL, you can check out our web page or contact the church and we will be happy to send more information to you.

The Everlasting God
By Rob Flood

Editor’s Note: This past Sunday, I preached the closing message of our recent series, Words of Comfort, listen here. As we seek to treasure, proclaim, and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ, here’s a section from the message that ought to help us all treasure the gospel of Jesus Christ…and the God of that gospel.

In the midst of their doubts, God is reminding Israel of who he is.  He’s done that so thoroughly in the previous section of Isaiah.  But here, in light of their doubts, let’s walk through what God highlights in his summary of who he is and what they…what we…need to focus on when we doubt God.  So let’s focus that lens.

~ The LORD is the everlasting God:  God existed before time...before trial…before sin…before all things.  He will exist after all things have perished and faded.  He was before the difficulty you’re experiencing and he will be long after your affliction is gone.

~ The Creator of the ends of the earth: Whatever comes our way happens inside of what God created…inside what he commands…inside of what he controls.  He is entirely above and beyond all we experience.  We cannot think of him as we do a creature.  He is not limited, he is not finite.  Anytime our thoughts of God resemble our thoughts of man, we must raise them, quickly.  We must call this truth to mind: God is altogether different than we are.  His ways are higher, his love is deeper, his power mightier, his mercy broader, his holiness holier, his goodness greater…not just greater than man’s, but greater than we can imagine.  Our everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the earth.

~ He does not faint or grow weary:  Folks, he does not tire of hearing your pleas for help.  His patience is not worn by your many needs nor does he grow fatigued at carrying you.  He has been carrying you for 2 weeks through this trial… perhaps for 2 months…perhaps for 2 years…maybe even for 2 decades.  Yet, he has no less endurance now than the first steps you took together.  Perhaps you are more weary…he is not.  Your strength is fading.  It is to that degree that his strength will grow.  You receive a second wind in your strength…in your faith.  That second wind came from your God who does not faint.  Have there been times that you have fainted from sorrow…from fatigue…your God will never faint.  He will carry you…he will sustain you.

Covenant Fellowship Church, this is your God.  He receives our accusations and mercifully directs us back to who he is.  Even as we accuse him in our weak faith, his strength, his everlasting arms sustain us.  Deuteronomy 33 declares this truth with incredible force:

 26 "There is none like God,
    …who rides through the heavens to your help,
   through the skies in his majesty.
27The eternal God is your dwelling place,
   and underneath are the everlasting arms.

You are broken over the condition of your life?  The Everlasting God has his everlasting arms underneath.  Your finances seem out of control?  The Creator of the ends of the earth rides through the heavens to your help.  You feel like you cannot labor another step in your fight against sickness?  Your Savior does not faint or grow weary. 

Covenant Fellowship…

28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.

By Doug Hayes

Whenever I’m visiting Covenant Mercies’ international programs in Uganda, Zambia, and Ethiopia, I always take at least one day to walk around the neighborhoods where the highest percentage of our children live.  Most of the children in our Orphan Sponsorship Program live full-time with extended family members, so my visits represent wonderful opportunities to observe the interactions of our field staff with the children and their guardians, and get a feel for the conditions our kids are growing up in. 

 

Today, as we walked through a slum neighborhood in Addis Ababa, I reached out to knock on the metal gate outside one of our children’s homes, caught a couple of my fingers on a jagged edge, and started to bleed.  As soon as my condition was evident, everyone around me jumped into action to help.  On a normal day, I would have stopped them all immediately because I travel with band aids and antiseptic cream in my backpack.  But today, since my luggage is somewhere only Ethiopian Airlines knows (or rather, I wish they knew!), I was unprepared to meet my own need.  My friend Tesfaye ran to a nearby shop to purchase band aids.  The grandmother whose home we were visiting rushed inside to grab some cotton balls and rubbing alcohol.  Quicker than you could say “Neosporin,” my wounds were cleaned and bandaged, and I was sitting down for coffee. 

 

The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a delight for all the senses, and always an enriching experience on many levels.  It’s a humbling thing to enter a cramped shanty – with dirt floor, walls a patchwork of cardboard, plastic, and mud, and a makeshift roof pieced together with corrugated metal and plastic grain bags – to sit down, and be asked with great insistence (commanded may be more accurate) to stay for coffee and bread.  One might be tempted to decline on account of the disquieting thought of taking bread from someone who has so little.  “I don’t need this.  I eat too much already.  Maybe it would be better if I just gave them some money to fix the roof before rainy season.” 

 

I have long since abandoned such thinking, and I find the coffee difficult to turn down.  In fact, I believe that in most cases the best thing I can do – for my host and for myself – is to receive with gratitude.   

 

There’s something “equalizing” about sharing your need with others, especially others whom you perceive to be more needy than yourself.  I might be tempted to take on a “hero complex” toward those we are serving in Ethiopian slums, while they might be tempted to play the role of the helpless aid recipient.  When a woman jumps at the opportunity to clean my wounds or meet my need for refreshment, this is a demonstration of her dignity as a suitable contributor, and an opportunity for me to humble myself and receive.  Her actions have enriched me, and  I am indebted to her.  This is good medicine for both of us.  The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

 

I think I’ll continue traveling with band aids, but I was kind of glad I didn’t have them today.  And as for the coffee… smooooooooth is putting it mildly.  Don’t be too rich to receive it.  If you are, you may be more impoverished than you think. 

By Jessica Evans

 

Pastoral Note:  As the one that carries pastoral responsibility for the Pro-Life Ministry, I’ve invited Jessica to write about our recent experience in Washington, D.C.  Our hope as a pastoral team is simply to keep this issue in front of us all from time to time.  Often, perhaps too often, this is an issue that may drift from the front of our minds.  We encourage you all to pray for our legislators, our justices, our president, women with unwanted pregnancies, and the safety of the unborn.  Stefan Bomberger

 

On January 22nd, a group of twenty Covenant Fellowship Church members made the trip to Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life. Reports estimate that over 300,000 people came out in support of the pro-life cause: individuals from different states, different ages, races, religious backgrounds, and physical abilities were all united in our burden to protect the unborn.  These were record numbers!

 

As you may know, this year marks the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court's infamous Roe v. Wade abortion decision. Since the court ruling in 1973, a recent analysis (from the National Right to Life Committee) estimates that we have lost over fifty-two million children to abortion. This number is nearly impossible for us to wrap our minds around.  May this reality stir conviction in our hearts, that we would embody Doug Hayes’ Sanctity of Human Life message [click here] to “act justly,” extend mercy, and “walk humbly” as we speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8).

 

Here are some questions that we can ask ourselves as we seek to embody Doug’s message:

• How am I representing the body of Christ?
• In my attempt to speak truth, am I doing so in a way that is condemning or that extends God’s love?
• Am I doing so in a way that recognizes and fully appreciates that I’ve undeservingly received mercy and forgiveness from God for my own sin through Jesus?

We should desire to share the redemptive truth of the gospel and extend that same mercy to the many women who have been wounded by abortion.

Here at CFC, our Pro-Life Ministry is helping to equip church members on how to engage others on the issue of abortion in gospel-centered, winsome ways.  In so doing, we hope to provide a context for meaningful pro-life outreaches and involvement in pro-life fundraisers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Rob Flood

 

Has your car even been out of alignment?  You know what I mean…when your car naturally drifts left…or drifts right.  What’s missing?  Why does it do this?  It’s lacking adjustments that stop the natural drift.

 

Christians, too, can automatically drift to one side or the other when it comes to the mission. 

 

Some drift to disengagement.  They consider their involvement in the mission to be restricted to church attendance, family time, and fellowshipping with friends.  They’re solid Christians but not aggressive on mission.

 

Some others engage mission with unbridled fervor.  They throw themselves into ministry of compassion: helping the poor, tending to the sick, encouraging and befriending the outcast.

 

And, perhaps the most difficult thing of all, is that each drifting faction attempts to proselytize the other.  The disengaged attempt to pull back to super-engaged.  And the super-engaged attempt to motivate and enlist the disengaged.

 

In the process of making cases and prosecuting perspectives, the alignment of the church can get out of whack.  Each group, though well-intended and well-motivated, needs adjustment.  Because of their intense focus on the trees, they’ve missed the forest.

 

The fix for both groups, and the key to alignment, can be found in the facts and implications of the work of Christ.  The song, Rock of Ages by Augustus Toplady, captures the message of adjustment well.

 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

 

Regardless of which group we’re a part of…regardless of our perspectives and passions…we all need to be hidden in the cleft of Christ.  This is the beginning of the adjustment each drifting group needs.  Without this, we will necessarily miss the forest for the trees.

 

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

 

Our efforts in compassion, in mission, or even in fellowship are not the basis of our spiritual health.  The labor or our hands, which we are called to do, cannot be used to judge the mission…nor is it to be used in judging others.

 

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

 

Regardless of our gifting or passions, we truly come to God with nothing in our hands.  1 Corinthians 4:7 makes it clear that whatever we have, we have been given.  Our need for grace brings the forest into clarity.

 

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

 

It is the end of our story, our union and eternal fellowship with Christ, that fuels our hope and our engagement in the mission.  The end of the story pulls us out of our own perspective on mission and helps us see the rest of the forest.

 

So, how should we engage the mission of the church?  …the call of the gospel on our lives?  Keeping our eyes on the cross and our hearts the coming of Christ, we engage the mission.  We encourage one another in the work of the mission.  And we first identify our own tendency to drift prior to concerning ourselves with the drifting of others.  This will help us avoid missing the forest for the trees.

By Doug Hayes

The year was 1963.  Outraged by a story he’d read in the newspaper, a young Bob Dylan sat down in an all-night café and penned the words to one of his most moving and brilliant songs.  A well-connected white man had killed a poor black barmaid in a fit of anger over a drink, and the ensuing trial had resulted in a slap on the wrist.  The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll is not only an exceptional piece of songwriting, but also a surprisingly insightful treatise on biblical justice.    

Verse one sketches the grievous incident in no uncertain terms: 

William Zanzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll
With a cane that he twirled ‘round his diamond ring finger…

The words depict a tragic event that surely must have evoked many tears.  But the chorus concludes begging the listener to refrain, for there’s an even greater tragedy yet to come: 

Take the rag away from your face
Now ain’t the time for your tears.

Verses two and three juxtapose the high position of the scornful perpetrator with the lowly social status of his innocent victim.  After hearing of a killer who “reacted to his deed with a shrug of the shoulders, and swear words and sneering, and his tongue it was snarling,” we are certain that our tears should flow when we’re told of Carroll, who…

Got killed by a blow, lay slain by a cane
That flew threw the air and came down through the room
Doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle
And she never done nothing to William Zanzinger. 

But again, in the chorus following each verse, the songwriter bids us wait.  Now ain’t the time for your tears.  The events depicted are heartbreaking indeed, but the tragedy of tragedies is still to come. 

In the fourth and final verse, we enter “the courtroom of honor,” where the judge pounds his gavel “to show that all’s equal and that the courts are on the level.”  A white man may be able to kill a black woman in the barroom.  But in the courtroom, black and white are irrelevant; justice is the one and only concern.  There, the judge…   

Stared at the person who killed for no reason
Who just happened to be feeling that way without warning
And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished
And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance
William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence.

Now, finally, we are granted permission to grieve.  The fourth and final chorus concludes differently from its prior three renderings:   

Bury the rag deep in your face
Now is the time for your tears. 

The point?  Injustices will happen in a fallen world.  Because of the sinfulness of man, it’s a virtual guarantee.  There is little we can do to prevent it from happening.  But God has ordained government to restrain evil and entrusted it with the sword of justice to answer when the blood of an innocent victim cries out from the ground.  In the case of Hattie Carroll, the “courtroom of honor” did not answer.  Her death in itself was tragic, but the greater tragedy was the fact that there was no justice for her. 

Today is the 37^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a decision rendered by America’s highest “courtroom of honor” denying justice to its smallest citizens. 

Now is the time for your tears.

As we grieve the loss of 50 million lives to legal abortion since 1973, let us renew our commitment to work tirelessly for the protection of the unborn.  And let us pray that one day, though a world without abortion is not possible until Christ returns, the laws of our land will again reflect justice for the weakest, most vulnerable among us. 

By Stefan Bomberger

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 9:35-38

Three things emerge from this text regarding our mission together. Three prerequisites, if you will, for joining Jesus in the harvest.

Compassion for the Crowds
Verse 36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” We’re not speaking of false teachers or religious hypocrites. We’re speaking of everyday sinners: our unbelieving coworkers, neighbors, friends and family. What does Jesus see when he looks at them? Is he angry at them? Does he feel threatened by them? No. He doesn’t view them as ferocious wolves. Rather he sees them as helpless sheep. He has compassion for them.

A few years ago, Doug Hayes did an extensive study on the theme of “compassion” in the New Testament. He found that when it’s said that someone “has compassion” on another, it causes them to act benevolently towards them. That’s the story of the Good Samaritan, for example. Others felt bad about the beat up man. But the Samaritan felt compassion and therefore was moved to help him. Biblical compassion starts with a feeling, but it doesn’t end there. Compassion moves us to action. That’s why compassion is a necessary pre-requisite for joining Jesus in the harvest. Because we won’t be moved towards the crowd until we feel compassion for the crowd.

Help for the Hurting
Verse 35 tells us that everywhere Jesus was proclaiming the gospel, he was also “healing every disease and every affliction.” It’s important to remember that Jesus’ primary goal was always to bring us spiritual life through his death and resurrection. No question there. Even so, he never turned a blind eye towards peoples’ physical diseases, pains or afflictions. Rather, he healed them. 

Of course, this supernatural work of Christ demonstrates his authority as God. But if we stop there and simply use these texts to support the divinity of Christ, we miss something simple yet profound. Jesus cares about our pain. And wherever the gospel of Christ is preached, the care of Christ ought to be expressed as well.  God may use you to heal the sick in the name of Jesus Christ. Or he may use you to give out a cup of cold water in his name to the thirsty. Either way, our gospel proclamation ought to be coupled with help for the hurting. 

Prayer for the Laborers
In verses 37-38 Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” When Jesus looks at the crowds, he’s not discouraged one bit. Rather, he sees a great harvest of souls. A plentiful harvest. He sees men and women ready to be reaped for the kingdom of heaven. But there’s one problem; there’s not enough laborers to reap this plentiful harvest. 

You know, as an evangelist, my impulse is to think the next part would say: “therefore… equip and train more people to proclaim the gospel!” But Jesus doesn’t say that. Rather, he says: “the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” The prerequisite here for joining Jesus in the harvest is not first to go. It’s to pray. To pray earnestly for more laborers. 

Now of course this doesn’t mean that we’re simply to pray and not go. In fact the very next chapter, in verse 5, Jesus sends out his twelve into the harvest.  And in Luke 10, Jesus says these same words right before he sends out the seventy-two. So it’s clear from both accounts that those who pray are also those who go. Before we go though, we must ask the Lord of the harvest for more laborers. We must pray for the laborers.

I hope these three prerequisites challenge and inspire you the way they have me. The field is white for harvest.  So, have compassion for the crowds, offer help for the hurting, and pray for the laborers.

By David Mayinja

Editor’s Note: As many of us have put our Christmas decorations away, thoughts of Christmas can begin to seem like distant memories.  But before the boxes get stored for good, let’s take a look at Christmas in rural Africa.

My daughters believe that the Christmas season is their best time of the year. When I asked them why, they readily gave their reasons: they look forward to the Christmas Concert and Christmas Eve Service, singing Christmas Carols, decorating the Christmas tree, enjoying Christmas music played around the house, reading the Christmas story in the Bible, spending time with visiting relatives, the sumptuous meals, baking cookies and of course the gift giving.  They enjoy the traditions we have as a family and as a church.  These traditions make the season special for them.

The other day they overheard me mention that Covenant Mercies was sending funds from sponsors to our program locations in Africa so the children can have Christmas parties. They were intrigued and wanted to know how Christmas is celebrated by families in Africa.  As I explained, their eyes were filled with amazement…and, perhaps, yours will be, too.

• The Christmas holiday in Africa is not commercialized as it is in America. The holiday is more centered on the religious aspect of celebrating the birth of Jesus and singing Christmas carols and hymns than on giving gifts. On Christmas Day, most churches are full of worshippers and many churches hold additional services to accommodate the larger attendance. If anything is bought at Christmas for the children, it is a new set of clothes to be worn to the church.

• Just like in other cultures, celebrating Christmas dinner with family and friends follows the worship of our Savior. This day, most families will provide a full meal!  They save up for goat meat or beef, which are considered luxuries in Africa.  Much of the day is filled with food preparation over an outdoor open flame (just like camping for us).  And in families that are able to afford it, sodas will accompany the meal. Sodas (that we enjoy often without much thought) are a wonderful treat for the children.

• After the meal is done, the children entertain the adults with lively plays and songs.   So many are gifted in music, dance, and creativity.  The dramas and music are great and bring a lot of joy and laughter to everybody!

Covenant Mercies works hard to ensure that Christmas Day is meaningful for sponsored children in each program location. Sponsors are able to participate in making this celebration possible by contributing $15 per child. These funds are all sent to our field offices, where the staff organizes the Christmas parties and purchases new clothes for each child. This day is one that the children look forward to with great anticipation.

During the gathering, the children enjoy food, games, singing, drama, and also receive their Christmas gifts with much joy.  However, before they are dismissed, they are reminded about the purpose for Christmas. As one of our African pastors put it, “We tell them this celebration is to remind us that Jesus Christ so loved us that he came to die on the cross for our sins. And now by his grace we see this love demonstrated through our brothers and sisters in the USA.”

What a privilege that we get to participate in bringing Christmas joy to fatherless children in Africa.  And what a blessing to have so many of you joining us in that endeavor.

By Rob Flood 

Jonathan Edwards is a well-known name in these parts.  He has a reputation for being a prolific writer, a dynamic preacher, a wonderful theologian, a passionate disciple.  What you may not know is that he is also an all-star resolution maker. 

When Edwards was a young man, he set out to determine the way he would live his life.  Without infringing upon the providence or sovereignty of God, Edwards determines how he wanted to live and then resolved to do it.  He even wrote them down.  His record of resolutions began: 

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake. 

He was fully aware that not a single one of these resolutions was possible without the help of God.  Yet, his dependence upon God’s help did not stop him from making these resolutions.  In fact, it was this very dependence upon God’s help that motivated him to be so bold in his resolutions.  Bold enough to make 70 of them, which he read weekly for the rest of his life. 

Here is just a sampling of his resolutions: 

#5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

#6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

#7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

#16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good. 

#25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it. 

#43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's. 

I’m not suggesting that we set out and make 70 of our own.  But we can learn something from this.  Even wise, gifted men such as Edwards need to choose purposefulness for their lives.  We can sometimes see men like this and think they are other-worldly.  They don’t struggle with temptation.  They aren’t normal.  They aren’t like us.  Yet, these resolutions defy that. 

No…his gifting isn’t normal.  But his temptations are.  His tendencies are.  And his choice for purposefulness in his Christian life is as necessary for us as it was for him.  

Will you act and speak only as though it is the last hour of your life? (#7)  Will you choose to act always as though you belong only to God? (#43)  If not these resolutions, what will you use to help you live purposefully, for as long as you live? 

Edwards’ resolutions were for Edwards.  They are not Scripture nor are they binding on your life.  His example, though, for purposeful living is a call placed on each of us.  

Interested in reading the whole list of 70 resolutions?  Click HERE.

As a church, we have spent recent Sundays exploring the wonder of the birth of Jesus, the Christ…God with Us.  We have learned that the coming of Christ, the First Advent, is more than a miraculous birth of a baby.  It is the Son of God becoming man.  It is the first step toward Calvary.  Yet, Calvary is not the end in itself…God means to redeem a people for himself…to himself…through the work of Christ on Calvary. 

So, as we remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us also remember and celebrate our salvation through these words by Charles Spurgeon: 

"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor." 

As your pastors, we count it a great honor to remember and celebrate with you the First Advent of our Lord.  And, we count it another great honor to labor along with you as we look forward in great anticipation to the Second Advent of our Lord. 

We pray that your Christmas is characterized by grace and peace…by worship and wonder…by love and joy.

Merry Christmas!

By Doug Hayes

 

I recently read a book written by the president of a large Christian relief and development organization.  It was well-written and compelling.  I was moved to tears on more than one occasion as I read of the author’s personal transformation through the power of the gospel.  I agreed with nearly all of what he said and was personally challenged. 

 

However, the main point of the book, expressed concisely in its title – The Hole in Our Gospel – could be summed up in this way:  if we preach the gospel to a lost and dying world without engaging in good works toward the poor, there is a hole in our gospel.  The “whole gospel” includes not simply a call to repentance and faith in Christ, but also a corresponding lifestyle of compassion and justice toward the poor. 

 

Wow – that’s an attention-grabber to say the least!  But is it accurate to describe the gospel in this way?

 

I submit that it’s both inaccurate and unwise to speak of the gospel in this way.  The gospel is the good news that, though we are sinful people who will always fall short of God’s glory and moral standards, we can be forgiven and restored in our relationship to Him through faith in Christ alone.  The author makes it clear that he believes this to be true, yet says there’s a hole in our gospel if we fail to take action toward the poor. 

 

There are many things that are true of all genuine disciples of Christ, because of the gospel.  But the fact that they are true because of the gospel doesn’t make them part of the gospel.  For example, I am called to be a faithful husband and father to my wife and daughters because of my identity as a disciple of Christ.  This is an implication of the gospel that I cannot escape!  But it wouldn’t be right to say that the gospel includes this.  We don’t preach, “Turn from your sins, place your faith in Christ, become a faithful husband and father, and God will accept you.”  My faithfulness in these areas makes an important statement about the validity of my faith, but it is not the gospel itself.

 

This may sound like hair-splitting, but I believe it’s an essential distinction that we must preserve lest we dilute the gospel of its power and meaning.  The very essence of the gospel message is fact: Jesus has fulfilled the moral commands of God on our behalf, even though we have universally fallen short of this righteous standard.  His righteousness, not ours, merits our salvation. That’s what makes it such good news!  To say that the moral commands of God are included in the gospel clashes with its central meaning and erodes the “goodness” of the good news.    

 

So… does this spring us from our responsibility to alleviate the suffering of the poor?  If you know me, you will know that’s not what I’m saying! 

 

I believe with all my heart that God’s burden for the poor must find expression in the life of every Christian.  We would indeed have a hole in our Bibles if we denied this recurring Scriptural theme!  There would be a hole in our discipleship, if we denied our calling to reflect the many-faceted mercies of God toward those who suffer in poverty.  There may even be a hole in our faith, if our profession of Christ is not authenticated by a transformed life in the areas that are important to God (just read James chapter 2 if you doubt me on that one). 

 

But the gospel message remains unchanged, regardless of the degree to which we understand and apply its implications in our lives.  Let us be careful to preserve the borders of this glorious message, even as we work to embody all its essential effects in our lives.     

By Stefan Bomberger

 

For years now, our church has been doing a free gift-wrap outreach in local stores. We’ve gone to Toys’R’Us, Circuit City, and this year we’re in Christopher & Banks next to the Borders. It’s a small way to share the love of Christ with our community. Because of this, we don’t accept donations. It’s fun to see the looks you get when you offer to wrap people’s gifts. Many are perplexed, surprised, even suspicious. We’re often asked, “Why are you doing it for free?!” In that moment, what would you say?

 

I know in the past I’ve gotten locked up in bringing the gospel into contexts like these. I’ve feared that it would undermine the “freeness” of the outreach. If I bring up Jesus, the unbeliever might think: “Ah-ha! I caught you. There is a string attached!” But what I’ve come to realize is that the gospel truly is the reason I’m doing this. So bringing it up isn’t a bait-and-switch. It’s being authentic. It’s disclosing the real motivation behind my actions – which is what they asked for.

 

The same could be said of all our good deeds as believers. We love because God first loved us. We have mercy on others because God has had mercy on us. We forgive because we’ve been forgiven. We serve because Jesus served us. We freely give because we’ve freely received. This is who we are. Conduits of God’s grace. Vessels of mercy with the treasure of the gospel inside of us. We shouldn’t pretend that we have no motives or that our actions simply flow out of our own intrinsic goodness. No. We do it because of Jesus Christ.

 

Keep this in mind the next time you are doing something kind for a neighbor. …going out of your way for a co-worker.  …serving at a Second Saturday in a free carwash. …visiting a nursing home. …feeding the homeless at a soup kitchen.

 

Jesus calls us to give out a cup of cold water, but to do so “in His name.” To connect all our deeds back to his amazing grace. The gospel isn’t something we tack on. It’s why we do what we do. Go public and share it with others. Who knows, God might just use it to powerfully change them like he’s changed you!

By David Mayinja

Everyone has a different experience from going on a mission trip.  Throughout Covenant Mercies’ history, we have sent around 300 people on short term mission trips.  Some come back so excited that they signed up for the next trip; some come back never wanting to leave the country again. And some people simply cannot see themselves take a step outside continental America.  According to John Piper, everybody should want to do short-term missions for the following reasons:

 

· Fellowship: Churches exist in nearly every culture, and seeing the way the church functions outside of your own culture is enriching, broadening, strengthening, and deepening.

· Faith-Building:  Experiencing the working of God in other cultures gives you a bigger picture of God.

· Preparation:  Short-term missions will envision you and prepare you for evangelism throughout your whole life.

This past September, Covenant Mercies led a mission team to Uganda to continue construction on New Life School. Our construction teams are normally made up of men, but this team was unique in that it included two ladies; Bev Farley and Margie Rice, who for a long time had desired to be part of a mission trip to Uganda. They were a means of grace and blessing to so many and brought such a unique vibe to the team.

 

Here are some of Bev’s reflections on the trip:

 

Within minutes of leaving the airport in Entebbe, the evidence of poverty was sobering. Many people were barefoot, young children had babies on their backs, homes were shacks and stalls were plentiful selling a few bunches of green bananas or a pile of oranges.  I realized the income of such stalls would be pennies a day if any sales were made at all.  Children played in the dirt and men slept in the shade on mats. 

 

Covenant Mercies has built a new clinic across the street from the church compound.  It’s a well equipped clean building staffed by two nurses that extend medical care to the children enrolled in the orphan sponsorship program.  The day I went to see the clinic, there were a number of children that were being treated. Not knowing the degree of illnesses I simply prayed with each child that God would heal them and protect them.  It was disturbing knowing no mother would cuddle them or soothe them with song as each one has been orphaned by dramatic circumstances.  I was painfully aware of a sense of loneliness and sadness as they waited their turn to be seen by the nurses. 

 

These children will now be receiving medical care, basic necessities and an education. And most importantly, they will be introduced to our Savior by Covenant Mercies staff as they care for them! Imagine the joy of finding sponsors for children who will be able to experience a dramatic and immediate difference in their life!

 

Covenant Mercies has over 700 children in Nagongera sponsored through their program.  After visiting their school that gives quality Christian education, spending time in the orphan homes, worshipping with the church that Covenant Mercies has partnered with to care for the orphans, I came to realize that we are able to make a difference.  Although the astounding need makes us feel helpless, I know by God’s grace His love can be brought to a few.  I came home with more love than I can handle.  In spite of the corrupt government and the expansive poverty, Covenant Mercies is making a difference…and so can we.

 

Most people, like Bev Farley, come back with a greater sense of God and a new heart awakening to the glory of God manifested in even the most dire, poverty-stricken, hopeless situations. 

 

Will you begin to pray and position yourself for service on a future short-term mission team?

 

“For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.” Psalm 9:18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Rob Flood

 

When we lived in Little Rock, we discovered the wonder and the magic of the Super Walmart.  In one place, you could buy lettuce, soda, produce, socks, motor oil, potted plants, and a television.  It was the ultimate in one-stop shopping.  A task we all need to do made simple by putting everything we could possibly need in one place.

 

As we depart Thanksgiving and run head-long toward Christmas, many of us will see family and friends.  We will find many we encounter far more open to spiritual conversations than they may be at other times of the year.  Wouldn’t it be great if you had a Super Walmart at your disposal in your conversations with such people?

 

Well, we have created such a wonder for this holiday season.

 

Celebrate Christmas is our winter season invitation intended to be used for evangelism.  Just like the Super Walmart, it has a vast variety of items in it, to fit nearly every occasion.  Check out what it covers:

 

~   God with Us (Our Christmas preaching series)

~   The Christmas Concert

~   Christmas Eve Services

~   The Children’s Christmas Musical

~   A Holiday Blood Drive

~   The Alpha Celebration Dinner

~   Financial Peace University

~   Explore

~   Word of Comfort (Our preaching series that will follow Christmas)

 

Folks, that’s better than motor oil and lettuce.

 

But notice that this blog is not titled “The Mission Done for You.”  It is titled “The Mission Made Simple.”  This “Super Walmart” of an invitation is as useless as the Super Walmart is if you never go.  It has to be used.

 

It provides all the information you would need to communicate, so you don’t have to remember anything.  It covers a wide array of topics, so you don’t have to fear it will be irrelevant.  The only hitch is that they still need to be carried from our church to people’s doors, desks, pockets, etc.

 

Consider picking up 5, 10, or even 20 of them.  Consider the block you live on, the department you work in, the gym you workout in.  Consider having one handy at all times and praying that God would open your eyes to opportunities to hand them out.  When you run out…we have plenty more. 

 

By Stefan Bomberger

 

As many of you know the Thrive community handed out about 180 boxes of food in Chester through our annual Boxes of Love event on Saturday, November 7th. This was the third year we've done this Thanksgiving outreach, and every year its been a huge blessing and highlight for many of us.  What was particularly special about this year, is that we did it in partnership with a local church in Chester called Freedom Baptist Church. The pastor, Sidney Harrell, has been pastoring there for over twenty years and has a real heart to reach the community with the Gospel. As we gathered with them that Saturday, you could feel the joy both groups had to be serving alongside of one another.

 

In the morning, before distributing the boxes, we were able to focus our energies on doing renovations and projects around the small church building. In just a few hours, we were able to tile the foyer, paint the exterior, clean out a basement, bust out a window, put in a door, trim a hall, clean up the street, and more. Our team worked very hard alongside of many other contractors and professionals from our church to execute all the various projects quickly and with excellence.  We broke for lunch around 1:30 p.m., where Pastor Sidney Harrell told us about his story of coming into ministry, into Chester, and how we both connected as local churches. It was a real highlight.

 

Then in the afternoon we broke into seven groups to hand out the Boxes of Love. Members from Freedom Baptist joined all the groups so that they could connect directly with their neighbors. We as a church also created special invitations to Freedom Baptist Church which went out with every box.  As we distributed the Thanksgiving meals, so many of the residents expressed their gratitude through warm receptions and even hugs. We were also able to pray with many folks right there on their porch. Besides the food, inside every box was a New Testament and an invitation to our Christmas events at Covenant Fellowship.

 

The evening ended with a bonfire back at Covenant where we shared stories, ate dinner, and closed out the night with praise and worship. It was an amazing day where God met us and blessed us. We thank God for each of you that filled up a Box of Love. We couldn't have done it without the dozens of families that went grocery shopping and filled the boxes with food, gifts, and prayers.

 

Feel free to join us on any Second Saturday in the future to participate in more outreaches like this. For example, December 5th we will be putting up Christmas Door Hangers for the Share the Good News of Christmas Campaign. See goodnewsofchristmas.org to learn more. Thanks for being the kind of church that proclaims the Gospel and is eager to share the mercy of God through your actions.

 

 

By Doug Hayes

 

Editor’s Note:  Doug is training for and running in two half marathons for Covenant Mercies.  To learn more, check out his original blog on this here.

 

When I left for Africa in September, my suitcase was full of running clothes.  I needed to maintain a training regimen that I had found difficult to maintain even at home.    Now, running in Africa earned me a lot of puzzled looks (except in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - distance running capital of the world!).  The more rural the area, the more strange my behavior seemed.  My running in rural Uganda evoked the most smiles, laughter, and head scratching. 

 

It wasn’t simply the blinding whiteness of my legs that struck them as so unusual… it was the running itself.  You see, in rural Uganda, life is exercise.  So much energy is expended simply carrying out the tasks of daily survival, the thought of going out of one’s way for exercise is a strange thought indeed.  Daily life is exercise enough.  

 

Many times, I’ve questioned my own sanity and felt like quitting.  I’ve thought, “You don’t need to do this! If you were to stop now and simply decide this was a bad idea, life would go on.”  When battling such thinking, I have often wandered back in my mind to those puzzled stares in Uganda.  The hardship of their life is the reason my behavior seemed so strange.  Could it be good for me to endure some hardship so that they might benefit?   

 

I am accustomed to a life of ease.  My 5-6 mile commute to work, preparation and enjoyment of three square meals (okay, my wife prepares most of them), and drawing of water for drinking/bathing are daily tasks that require little effort on my part.  For the average person in rural Uganda, the same tasks are a backbreaking ordeal, and they often consume most of one’s energy and time in a day.  I don’t feel guilty about this contrast.  It’s a great blessing to have the mundane tasks of life made easier; there’s nothing to be gained from an ascetic desire to give up conveniences for the sake of renouncing them.  But it’s helpful to remember that these are blessings…not birthrights.  And it may be helpful to consider whether embracing a certain element of suffering or discomfort could be a net positive for my spiritual health.   

 

I’m not looking to over-spiritualize the act of running.  However, there can be something enriching about enduring a bit of discomfort that I don’t need to endure, with a direct connection to others who routinely endure such hardship as a matter of survival.  To suffer with them as a choice could be a guilt-ridden act of aesthetic noise, but it could also be profound expression of biblical compassion: suffering together with another while alleviating their need. 

 

Have you ever considered doing something like that?  Are there certain conveniences or luxuries that you could intentionally forego as a means of identifying with others in need and alleviating their suffering?  For example, there’s nothing wrong with going out to lunch at work, but what if you fasted one day a week and gave the savings to serve orphans lacking access to a good, nutritious diet?  There’s nothing wrong with Starbucks coffee, but what if you chose to forego this privilege (or some other beverage you enjoy) for a season, giving the money you save to bless communities lacking access to clean water?    

 

These ideas aren’t just clever ways to raise funds.  They’re actually a means of “suffering with” the ones whose suffering you intend to alleviate.  And you might just find, as I’ve found with my running this year, that there are many side benefits you hadn’t anticipated. 

 

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.  (1 Tim. 4:8)

By Rob Flood

If we’re not careful, we can fall victim to the “over there” mentality of mission.  Mission is something that happens “over there” that someone else does.  It happens in special events or special sacrifices or other lands.  Mission is an E-Team trip.

Yet, our mission statement is:

We exist to treasure, proclaim, and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And if that is true (which it is), then we actually need a place and a body in which to do these things.  And, while special events or special sacrifices can be part of mission, there is a sustaining work that must be done in the local church to provide a platform, a forum, a home for our mission.

And this is where Ministry Teams come in.

Our Ministry Teams are not just ways to feel like you are helping.  No…our Ministry Teams serve the life of our church in the same way internal organs serve the life of our bodies.  Each organ plays its part in keeping our bodies running.  And, if you don’t think kidneys or lungs are important to the mission of a body, just consider how a mission might go without them.

Over the past couple months, we’ve highlighted some of these “internal organs” of our church to draw your attention there.  Of course, this gives us an opportunity to honor those who have served.  But equally as important is letting you know of the need to keep those internal organs staffed and functioning.

Three of the teams that have been covered are listed below.

~    Ushers – It is because of this team that we as a church are able to collect Tithes and Offerings, enjoy the elements during Communion, and even find seating.  But this “organ” does more than that.  These folks stand poised to step into the types of unanticipated needs that often arise each Sunday.  We are thankful for our Ushers.

~    Function Support – These are the folks that make sure the auditorium is ready for our services.  Among the many duties they carry is the preparation of seating and the setting of the lobby.  So much of what we enjoy each Sunday is because of this team…most of us don’t even know how we rely upon them.

~    IMag / Sound – The combination of these two teams gives us our eyes (IMag – Image Magnification) and our ears (Sound) on Sundays.  These are the people who, when they do their job perfectly, you never even notice them.  Think of how many Sundays you are completely unaware of the people serving on these teams.  That is due to the excellence of their work. 

While there is much value in mission that is “over there,” there is plenty of mission to be had “right here.”  As you consider how you fit into the mission of treasuring, proclaiming, and growing in the gospel of Jesus Christ, consider these vital organs of our church.  And how you can join them in their work.

In this past week’s message in our Sunday series As We Gather, Rob Flood showed the importance of prayer in God’s gathered people as he surveyed Nehemiah 9.  To hear the full message, go to here.

 

Rob shared a very interesting quote from Tim Chester’s Biblical survey on prayer, The Message of Prayer, that highlights something that we all need to consider.

 

It is sometimes said that good private prayer is the foundation of good corporate prayer, but it may be more biblical to say that corporate prayer is the foundation of private prayer.  Our experience of God in Christ is corporate.  Western individualism has made the individual alone with God the centre of spirituality.  For the people of the Bible it is the relationship between God and his people that is central.  Personal prayer revolves around this common experience-not the other way around.  (Tim Chester, The Message of Prayer, p.153)

 

This is certainly not how I usually think of prayer.  To me prayer is a ‘me and God’ thing and praying with other people is kind of like a secondary option.  But my experience so often is that private prayer is fitful and distracted; yet when I come together to pray with my brothers and sisters my heart and eyes are lifted to God in faith to pray with boldness and fervency.  Rob gave some excellent examples of why corporate prayer is the fuel of private prayer.

 

When we pray with others, we hear things we never thought of praying for.  Perhaps we hear things that we’ve been praying for but thought we were the only ones praying.  There are even times when we’re moved at the passion someone has for a topic we’ve become indifferent to?  There is a unique grace that comes upon people when they are gathered with others in prayer.

 

Is there no wonder why folks in time of need throughout the Bible and throughout history gathered together in upper rooms and lowly catacombs, great cathedrals and flimsy tents?  They knew the need and the value of corporate prayer. 

 

Where are you gathering with God’s people in corporate prayer?  Have you ever attended a House of Prayer?  Or our pre-service prayer at the front of the auditorium.  If your personal prayer times are in need of vision, seek out others – pray with the church!

 

By Andy Farmer

One area of our Anniversary Museum that drew a lot of attention was our book table of Dave Harvey’s 25 Books That Built the Church.  A number of folks have asked if we could post the list and the descriptions from Dave about each book. 

The following is the list of books in no particular order, along with the descriptions of the books that were on the display table.  Please note that these are not the 25 books Dave would most recommend.  That’s another list.  These are just books that he felt played a significant role in our church over the years.  They say a lot about who we were, and about what we’re becoming.

Dave Harvey’s '25 Books That Built the Church'

 We asked Dave what 25 books have had the most significant impact on our church in its first 25 years.  An impossible question to answer.  One thing he reminded us of is that some books had significant impact on our church at a certain time in our history.  But they’re not books that would necessarily make it onto Dave’s ‘25 Books You Should Be Reading Now’ list.  That list will have to come out at a different time.

So this display represents books that have shaped us in as a church throughout our history.  Where possible we’ve tried to display the version of the book that was in print when it was having affect on who we were becoming as a church.

                                                                                   Clap Your Hands

by Larry Tomczak

Larry was very involved in helping this church get established and this book was a Christian best-seller at the time.  Many folks who would have come to the church in the early days would have either seen Larry speak at a conference or read this book about his life.

                                                                                      Knowing God

by J. I. Packer

Many say this will be one of the few books from our generation that will still be in print a hundred years from now.  Nothing says ‘all of life is doctrine’ better than Knowing God.  It formed a spiritual backbone in this church from the very outset.   

Money, Possessions and Eternity

by Randy Alcorn

Randy articulated and applied a New Testament view of life to the wallet, the retirement plan and the stuff we think we need.  He became a friend who counseled us in our building project and in our view of the mission of the local church.  His writing on social issues and works like Deadline and Heaven have continually reminded us that what we have here is not all there is to life.   

Trusting God

by Jerry Bridges

The church is a place where suffering people gather.  In our early days we found many folks coming from troubled church backgrounds – we called them ‘burnt stones’.  We needed a biblically sound and graciously written book on suffering and the sovereignty of God.  Jerry Bridges has delivered it because he has lived it.  We are indebted to him as an older brother in the Lord and as a friend to our church.   

Power Evangelism

by John Wimber

Wimber lived with evangelistic zeal and robust confidence in the dynamic role of the Holy Spirit in the spread of the Gospel.  To be influenced by Wimber is to live expectant that God will go before us to prepare hearts for the Gospel, and to be bold when the opportunity to share it occurs.    

The Holiness of God

by R. C. Sproul

This book ‘swept through’ our family of churches during the late 80’s spurred by a message C. J. did on Uzzah and the Ark of God.  This message and Sproul’s writing maybe did more than anything else to move us from a man-centered view of things to a God-centered view of life.  God is holy, we’re not.  That’s the point.   

The Body

by Charles Colson

In our early days we were casting around the evangelical world for some affirmation of the priority of the local church in the life of a believer.  This book helped us dialogue with other churches and ministries beyond our world and learn from them.

Temptation and Sin

by John Owen

To read Owen is to realize that our greatest enemy is not the devil, or the dude in the cubicle next to us.  It’s remaining sin in our hearts.  Coming from a charismatic theology and a therapeutic culture, we needed to hear that.  Fortunately there are ways to ramp up to Owen’s Puritan writing with books that could easily make this list, like The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges and The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard.  But Owen is the real deal. 

The Peacemaker

by Ken Sande

Where there are people there’s conflict.  But conflict creates Gospel opportunities.  Unity in the church is not built through absence of conflict, but by pursuing the redemptive opportunities that come with conflict.  Ken Sande has served us with his writing and his personal counsel.  There’s still nothing like this book out there.

Spiritual Leadership

by J. Oswald Sanders

We’ve benefitted from a lot of great books on leadership over the years, but this one has been with us from the beginning.  Sanders takes us into the heart of New Testament leadership.  A must read for anyone considering the call to ministry but very helpful for anyone in any capacity of leadership in the church, the home, or in the world.

Desiring God

by John Piper

This book sets out Piper’s big themes.  God’s delight in Himself.  The need for strong affections rooted in biblical truth.   The joy and pleasure of obedience to Christ.  Finding true joy in the true joy of others.  Where would we be without these truths?   There may be no current pastor/theologian beyond our movement who has more affected us as a local church.

Surprised by the Power of the Spirit

by Jack Deere

The mid 90’s was a time when a lot of controversy was floating around about experiencing the dynamic activity of the Holy Spirit.  Jack Deere came along and brought biblical, theological and historical depth to our understanding of the power,  presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people.

Systematic Theology

by Wayne Grudem

Grudem gets it.  The ‘big blue book’ sets out a thorough but readable systematic theology for the church.  Chapter 16 on God’s providence broke us.  And, thanks to the editorial work of Jeff Purswell, Dean of the Sovereign Grace Pastor’s College, we also have Bible Doctrine, which is not Grudem for dummies, its Grudem for folks who want to major on the majors. 

Experiencing God

by Henry Blackaby and Claude King

There was a time when ministry was all about finding and using your gifts.  This book exploded that by rooting ministry in throwing yourself into what God is doing and letting him give the gifts as He pleases.  That’s made a big difference in this church, beginning with the pastoral team.  

When People are Big and God is Small

by Ed Welch

This book redrew the map of our relationships for a lot of us when we read it.  There is not an area of life – marriage, family, ministry, friendship, outreach – that isn’t affected by the fear of man.  Ed helps not only identify this pervasive idolatry, but stirs a Gospel-centered fear of God in the fight against it.  This stuff will never get old. 

Religious Affections

by Jonathan Edwards

In the mid-90’s when the charismatic world was talking about how God would ‘offend the mind to get to the heart’, C. J. sent us to Edwards and the Great Awakening to learn some important lessons on what authentic experience of God’s power should look like.  This was a guiding light in chaotic times.  But it is a book for all times.

The Cross of Christ

by John Stott

I could fill this list with books on the cross but this one can’t be topped.  We learned that to be Gospel centered meant that we needed to move the Cross to the center of everything.  That’s what Stott does in a magisterial way.  C. J. recommends reading one book on the cross a year.  Make sure this one is on your list.

The Doctrine of Repentance

by Thomas Watson

Watson is one of the easier Puritan’s to read, and this little book speaks volumes about the heart and life change that occurs when true repentance takes place.  We thought we were pretty humble till we read this. 

The Cross Centered Life

by C.J. Mahaney

This book put what it means to ‘keep the main thing the main thing’ into words that folks can understand and apply.  C. J. put a whole lot of important biblical truth in a great small package.  All of C. J.’s inestimable influence on this church has had the goal and effect of putting the cross at the center of everything we do. 

Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

by John Piper and Wayne Grudem

How we understand the roles of men and women in God’s design is not a small issue.  It ultimately defines what kind of people, and church, we become.  The gender debate rages all around us, and this book (recently updated) still speaks with biblical clarity and force that cannot be denied. 

Shepherding a Child’s Heart

by Ted Tripp

In our early years we placed a lot of emphasis on the parent’s leadership and the goal of raising happy and obedient children.  Ted Tripp brought the Gospel into the center of parenting responsibility through this book and a seminar he did with us in the early 90’s.  This fits with his brother Paul’s book Age of Opportunity, which applies the same Gospel centered view to parenting teens.  I thank God for these books and these friends - as a pastor and as a dad. 

War of Words

by Paul Tripp

Paul is a dear friend and older brother to this church and his influence through writing and teaching can’t be overstated.  This book has rebooted a lot of mouths for the good – including my own.  God has spared us from the disease of gossip and slander that has plagued many churches, and I know this book has been preventative medicine. 

Spurgeon vs. Hyper-Calvinism

by Iain Murray

I had to have something Spurgeon in here and this might seem like an odd choice.  But as we’ve sought to understand and articulate what it means to be ‘essentially Reformed’, Spurgeon’s commitment to Gospel and Bible over any strict adherence to a theological system is worth following.  This book was read by the pastors and folks in leadership training, but would be valuable to anyone who wants to know how to humbly stand for truth.  Gotta throw in Beside Still Waters, The Power of Prayer in a Believer’s Life and Dallimore’s Spurgeon – A New Biography here as well.

The Valley of Vision

edited by Arthur Bennett

What a treasure!  A collection of Puritan prayers that exalt the Savior and survey the soul.  I’m one of many who always keeps this on my devotional table.  We’re displaying the old ugly paperback version that we were first turned onto, but Banner of Truth gets props for the small leather edition – unexpectedly brilliant marketing.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

by Donald Whitney

I had to include a spiritual disciplines book and this one is the best out there.  Whitney makes both the ‘spiritual’ and the ‘discipline’ aspects of our devotion to Christ come together better than any book I’ve read.  And you should take it a step further and read his Spiritual Disciplines in the Church.

 

By Andy Farmer

Here’s one more look at some of the highlights of our 25th Anniversary Celebration. 

By Trish Donohue

Last night I walked through the museum and tried to take in the amazing displays of God’s faithfulness throughout our history.  What an incredible job the coordinators did in setting it up!  From all over the room I heard reminiscing about old Christmas plays, T-shirts, invitations, ministries, and many shrieks of horror at what we were wearing in the photos! 

The pictures of the Gauntlett Center showed it like it was—a medium-sized, not-so-clean, not-so-attractive room.  We all know of the legendary roaches and duct tape, and everyone can remember the 120 degree weird-smelling bathrooms.  But someone was commenting about how proud they were of it then, and I felt the same way.  I loved that place, and was delighted to lead family and guests past the dumpsters and into the doors of what I knew was the best place on earth.

So why the rose-colored glasses?  For many of us, this was the first church where we really met with God, where we pursued not just biblical knowledge, but God’s presence as well.  It was new and amazing to us.  We were young, didn’t know what we were doing, and cried out to him in desperation.  We expected him to answer and he did, faithfully and powerfully.  That’s why no petty inconveniences could deter us.

As I enjoyed my moment of nostalgia, I considered our beautiful building, clean bathrooms, roach-free corners, and air-conditioning.  Does God radically meet people who aren’t sweating and are sitting in comfy chairs?  Is he as passionate for his church when they are a little older, a little wiser, a little richer?

I’m so happy that no environment of blessing or challenge will affect God’s outpouring of grace on his church.  I’m so glad that he still waits for the cry of his people and sends his Spirit to encourage and strengthen and guide.  He still wants to meet with us! He still makes his Word come alive to us! He still wants to take our breath away with his glory and holiness and power.  He is still quick to come to our aid when we are desperate for him!

The “radical” experiences we remember in those earlier days weren’t tied to a place, or a time, or a season; they were tied to God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  The question is, “Do I still walk into church expecting and yearning to meet with him?”  May it be so for all of us, in ever-increasing measure. 

As the deer pants for streams of water,
       so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
       When can I go and meet with God?    -Ps 42

By David Mayinja

What is the difference between orphan relief and orphan care?  In the answer to this question lies the heart of Covenant Mercies.

Orphan relief programs do good and worthwhile work.  They care for the physical needs of orphans: food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.  The goal behind them is to provide “relief” from their destitute circumstances.

So, what is an orphan “care” program?  Well, it can’t be legitimate care if the physical needs of the orphans are ignored, so the program must include that.  However, it can’t be legitimate care if all we do is care for their physical needs. 

With Covenant Mercies, we seek to provide both physical and spiritual care.  Essentially, we build all we do around the message of the gospel.  And God has given us His hand in blessing this priority.

The pastors of the local churches we have partnered with are ensuring that these children are exposed to the Gospel and are reminded of their need of the Saving Grace of God. As these pastors have faithfully ministered God’s Word to these little ones, some of them have been moved by the Holy Spirit to submit to the Lordship of our Savior Jesus.

I recently received the testimony of one of the children that gave her life to Christ after a sermon preached by Pastor Moses Nkwasibwe who manages our program in Western Uganda (Kiburara). Below is a summary of her testimony:

My name is Atuheire Evarini. I’m 15 years old, and enrolled in my first year of high school. I’m currently cared for by an uncle and live in his household. According to my uncle, I grew up without my parents. My father died of HIV/AIDS when I was one year old. Later my mother disappeared and left me on my own. I was taken in by my stepmother (my father’s second wife) who mistreated me.  When my uncle realized that I would not survive the harsh treatment and hardships I was faced with, he came and took me to his home. When I moved to my uncle’s home, I started attending services at Kiburara Gospel Center. When Pastor Moses Nkwasibwe realized that I was an orphan, he enrolled me in the orphan sponsorship program. What a joyful day it was when he let me know that I had a sponsor to help me get a high school education!  Pastor Moses has diligently cared for all the children in the program. He has constantly told us about Jesus’ love for us and why He died on the cross. One day after hearing him preach, I gave my life to Christ. Life has been hard for me, but now with my life in Christ, I’m confident about my future. I’m sure that my dream to become a registered nurse will be fulfilled. I am so grateful to Christ, my Pastor, Covenant Mercies staff, Sponsors and friends who are making my life meaningful. I, who had no smile, can now smile all the time. All glory be to God!

What a joy to know that the children we are helping are experiencing God’s grace at work in their lives…both physically and spiritually. Let’s pray that many may be moved, like Atuheire, to give their lives to the Lord even as they encounter His love among those that are serving them so faithfully day after day.


                                 

By Rob Flood

 

We often use Mission Fridays as a way to equip and encourage you in the mission of the church.  Often times, we use this slot to help you see beyond Covenant Fellowship Church to other parts of the country and other parts of the world.  Today, join with us as we celebrate the planting of new churches.

 

As we’ve been well taught here, church planting is at the core of completing the Great Commission.  The true fulfillment of the great commission is not simply the sharing of the gospel, but the creation of a people…a local church.  Through that church, the gospel goes forth and those converted through the gospel are baptized and discipled. 

 

The churches below represent far more than simply new Sovereign Grace churches.  They represent new bodies of believers that desire to see the name of Jesus glorified, the good news of the gospel shared, and many to put their lives and souls in the hands of our wonderful Savior. 

 

This is a task that is worthy of our efforts…and our prayers.  So, as you read below and perhaps even visit their websites, consider praying for one or two of these plants.  Whether here at Covenant Fellowship Church or elsewhere, it is our prayer than many would come to know Christ.

~   San Francisco, CA: Christ Church has been meeting since August 2, led by Toby Kurth. The church meets on Sunday afternoons in the Richmond District. www.christchurchsf.org.  

~   Fredericksburg, VA: Sovereign Grace Church has been meeting since August 23, led by Ken Delage. The church meets on Sunday mornings at Freedom Middle School in Spotsylvania. www.sovgrace.cc.  

~   Peoria, AZ: Grace Church has been meeting since August 30 in a northwestern suburb of Phoenix. Led by Chris Daukas, the church meets on Sunday afternoons at the Rio Vista Recreation Center. www.gracechurchaz.org. 

~   Downingtown, PA: Brandywine Grace Church launched just over a week ago, on September 13, in this western suburb of Philadelphia. The church is led by Kenny Lynch and meets at the Downingtown Educational Center. www.brandywinegrace.org.

~   Orange County, CA: Sovereign Grace Church of Orange County is led by Eric Turbedsky. The church-planting team meets on Saturday evenings at Pacific Church in Irvine. Keep an eye on www.sovgraceoc.org. for more updates.

~   Sydney, Australia: Sovereign Grace Church Sydney will be led by Dave Taylor and will launch, Lord willing, in 2010. Dave and his family will be moving from Newport, Wales, to Australia soon. But if you’re in Sydney, you can connect with him on Facebook or at an Intro Night he is hosting on October 30 at the Waldorf Apartment Hotel in Pennant Hills, Sydney. Check www.sovgraceoz.org. for info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Marty Machowski

In the midst of the Jewish persecution of Nazi Germany, while many pastors fearfully held their tongues, Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke against the atrocities of Hitler with great courage.  He stood against the Nazi’s, refused to give into fear, and worked selflessly to help Jews trying to escape.  Though Dietrich Bonhoeffer had opportunity to leave, he chose to remain.  He was imprisoned multiple times, forbidden to preach, and in the end he was executed by hanging. When I hear stories of courageous men and women I wonder how I might have responded in their day.  I sometimes fancy myself the hero, but not for long…I realize I don’t yet display adequate courage where I am right now.

We live in a land that is free.  No one is forcing us to fight for the forces of evil.  No one is compelling us to deny our faith.  The worst reprisal most are likely to face for preaching the Gospel is rejection.  Yet we still struggle to find the courage to overcome the fear of man which silences our faith. The bold presence of courage is such a rare commodity that many of us have learned to insulate ourselves from unbelievers as though they don’t exist.  We walk by them daily without saying a word. The fear of man is very real in our lives.

My point is not to levy a burden of guilt, but to help us better understand the struggle for courage we all face.  I can easily become self-righteous and expect others to stand up for righteousness where they are: teens, people in the workforce, etc.  I want them to speak up and say no to the temptations of following along with the crowd; to be the voice of wisdom when worldly foolishness prevails, to boldly proclaim their faith and show a little courage. I forget just how much we all need God’s help to stand and be courageous. 

Rather than be self-righteously assertive or passively judgmental, let’s regularly pray to the Lord for courage; courage to follow Christ in the face of any fear.  That was Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s secret.

Even at his execution Dietrich Bonhoeffer stood, trusting God with courage against perhaps our greatest fear, the fear of death.  In that moment, he spoke these words, “This is the end, for me the beginning of life." 

Ten years later a military doctor reported witnessing Bonhoeffer's kneeling in prayer before his execution. He said, "In the almost 50 years I have worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”  Let’s take courage from his example, not forgetting our own weakness.  Let’s pray for one another…with one another…as we call out for grace-given courage to battle against the fear of man side by side.

[1] Howell, Leon A Time of Trials: The tribulation of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
http://www.faithstreams.com/ME2/Sites/dirmod.aspsid=5F4E345683D8492B9B56CBC49802F459&nm=Get+the+News&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&SiteID=29EE738D89044C718E7899A97B37B6C4&tier=3&nid=4E2CC13C0AFE42748034B38A4E0364C4

 

 

 

 

By Rob Flood

 

Sometimes, we need to take a good look at the mirror to see what’s going on in our minds…in our hearts.  And sometimes, we need to take a good look out the living room window to see what’s going on in our neighborhoods and community.  Today…we look out the window.

 

A recent article in USAToday was titled, “Atheists choose ‘de-baptism’ to renounce childhood faith.”  You ask, “What is de-baptism?”  Here is the description from the article:

 

In a type of mock ceremony that's now been performed in at least four states, a robed "priest" used a hairdryer marked "reason" in an apparent bid to blow away the waters of baptism once and for all. Several dozen participants then fed on a "de-sacrament" (crackers with peanut butter) and received certificates assuring they had "freely renounced a previous mistake, and accepted Reason over Superstition."

 

You could respond like I did at first: indignation.  “How enormously disrespectful?  Who do they think they are?”  Or, you could respond like I did at second: pity.  “What happened to these people in the church that caused such disdain?”  Or, you could respond like I did, finally: curious.  “I wonder what this really shows us.”

 

While most people are not actively mocking Christianity and performing “de-baptizing ceremonies,” most people are living as though faith is superstition and “reason” has won the day.  Yes…we could argue here that true, biblical faith is utterly reasonable and that it is atheism that is unreasonable.  But that’s not where we’re going.

 

At one point, those who are going through “de-baptizing” were once baptized.  They were once in the church.  They once considered themselves Christians.  What turned them away?  The answers are endless: tragedy, suffering, hypocrisy, sin, busyness, etc.  Maybe all of the above.  But what is the Achilles’ Heel for all of these.  How can we guard our souls against such mockery?  Against such blasphemy?

 

I believe the answer is TREASURE.  Our mission is not just to go out and save the lost.  It is not just to bring them to church so that they can get trained to go and save the lost.  No.  Our mission is to treasure, proclaim and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

When we are treasuring Christ, we have an anchor that never fails.  We have a rock as our foundation.  We have a strong tower to run into.  When tragedy or trial comes, we know whom we have believed, and we are convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to us. (2 Timothy 1:12)

 

We have a treasure that keeps us humble…guarding us from hypocrisy…and freeing us to admit our hypocrisy when it’s pointed out to us.  We have a treasure that shines more brightly than all competing treasures and holds priority in our hearts and lives.

 

When you look out your living room window and see the people passing by…and you observe their godlessness…pray for them.  Have compassion for them.  And pray for your own walk with Christ…that he would remain your treasure.  And that, each time you take a glimpse at your reality…you will find Christ at the center.

By Rob Flood

 

Note of Hope is currently in Africa.  Doug Hayes and Rosella Washington, along with the rest of the band and the film crew, arrived in Tororo, Uganda on Wednesday.  All are safe.  In addition to the concerts they are performing, they are filming a documentary focusing on Covenant Mercies’ role in providing care for orphans in various places of Africa.

 

As a church, we prayed for this trip.  As you consider praying for the team and their trip, the prayer we shared on Sunday may serve to guide you and remind you.  What a privilege we have to support Covenant Mercies with our prayers.  What a privilege to have them within our walls.  What a privilege that they are a genuine part of who we are.

 

A summary of the pastoral prayer:

 

You have shown us such grace in allowing us to provide care for orphans in Africa.  We thank you, God, we thank you for the privilege as we join your work in other parts of the world.

 

As A Note of Hope travels to Africa for their concerts and for the filming of their documentary, we cast our care for them on you.  Would you provide them with your mercy to endure the travel, to flourish even when fatigued, and to have your favor with the electricity.

 

But beyond that, God, we pray for the ministry on this trip. We pray that, even now, you would be preparing hearts to respond to the gospel. As we pray here, you are present there. We pray that lives would be changed for eternity because this band and this crew have followed your will and have been faithful to your gospel.

 

But even beyond that, Lord, we ask your mighty hand to be on this documentary. That the plight of the orphan in Africa would be made known…well known.  That you would use the reach of this documentary to fund Covenant Mercies and their future efforts…to expand the numbers of orphans our current programs can care for and to expand the program to other nations.

 

Father, we cast our cares for A Note of Hope on you.

 

We serve a mighty, wonderful, powerful God.  And though you could stand at a distance and watch us in our weakness, you are a near God, who invites us to cast our cares on you.  Father, hear our prayer.  We wait in faith…in hope…knowing that we need not worry…that we can cast these cares on you…and that you are more than trustworthy to make these things work for your glory and our good.

 

In Christ’s name…Amen.

By Rob Flood

 

On Sunday, August 23^rd, Jared Mellinger preached from 1 Thessalonians 5 on relationships in the church. (You can find the message here)  He highlighted three different types of relationships: relationships with our leaders, with one another, and with wrongdoers.

 

In the message, Jared referenced an article written by David Powlison from CCEF.  In an effort to serve you and provide the fullness of this content for you, CCEF has graciously agreed to make the article available to you.  You can download it at the bottom of the page.

 

Here are the two excerpts that Jared read on Sunday:

 

“Wise and timely flexibility is the fruit of 5:14.  Paul teaches us to understand our brothers and sisters in terms of their particular struggles, and then to respond appropriately. He never says, “Admonish the disheartened.” To acknowledge personal wrongs is not step one for the anxious. If you primarily admonish them, you only further discourage them.  In the same way Paul never says, “Encourage the unruly.” Helping them grasp that God loves them and will not abandon them is not step one for the willful. If you simply offer promises of kindness to the willful, you will only reinforce their impression that God, like you, is a sentimental dupe, and their confidence that they can get away with whatever they are doing.”

 

“Probably each of us who does ministry tends towards one of the characteristic forms of helping. It’s your gift. But left to itself, it remains unbalanced. That is part of why God has given us 5:14, to keep us from being blinded by our best gifts. We are called to broaden our vision, to work out of our comfort zone. A hammer thinks everything is a nail; a blanket, treats everyone as shivering; a wheelchair thinks everyone needs a lift. But wisdom sees people for what they are and gives what is needed.”

 

These thoughts matter.  Why?  How we relate with each other is a vital part of our mission.  As we treasure, proclaim and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we do so in relationships.  And our relationships prove to be a significant witness to the world.  Not primarily about how kind of a church we have…but how great of a God we have.

 

We live out our mission in community…not in isolation.  We live out our mission in relationships with the redeemed…the flawed redeemed…the sinning redeemed…the trying redeemed…the serving redeemed…the unruly redeemed…the faint-hearted redeemed…the weak redeemed…but the redeemed nonetheless. 

 

We encourage you to read the attached article, review the message from Sunday, and thank God for our church.  As members here, we have the wonderful opportunity to receive this kind of care…and to give it.  We have the distinct privilege of living our mission…together.

 

Download the CCEF article HERE.

 

This article is published in the Journal of Biblical Counseling, a publication of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). All content is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission from CCEF. For more information on classes, materials, speaking events, distance education and other services, please visit www.ccef.org.

By Rob Flood

Spring was in the air and the sun was shining, but a chill went through his body.  The hair on the back of his neck stood at attention telling lies about the climate.  Brent Fisher tells the story this way: 

I received an e-mail several months ago from my pastor telling me that August 8^th would be my Community Group’s day for Second Saturday. The hair on the back of my neck stood straight up. How am I going to get the folks in my Community Group to agree to go out on an outreach? This group of senior saints is BUSY; they’ve got all their Saturdays filled.

As Spring turned to Summer and the temperature of the air rose, so did the hair on the back of Brent’s neck.  Carrying a burden to care for his group…and a burden to not be the cause of their angst, Brent…and the hair on the back of his neck…went into his next Community Group meeting.

I started to talk about how all the care groups were being asked to go on a Second Saturday outreach. Just then someone said, “ is that where they hand out water on the street corner”? I said, “Well, that could be one of the activities for the out reach.” Another one said man that would be a great thing for “them” to do since it is so hot. I quickly said, “Why don’t we do a water give away?” The long and short of it is we ended up with 11 people signed up to go and headed for Kennett Square.

On August 8^th, Brent arrived at Second Saturday with the hair raised on the back of his neck.  The hair whispered: What if no one else shows up?  How will you answer to your pastor?  You should leave now…before it’s too late?  Upon seeing eleven others from his Community Group, Brent continues the story:

Things started to feel much better as everyone began arriving for things like the car wash, Chester Bible give away, special out reach to a brother’s home, and a couple other places. Did you ever notice the hair on the back of your neck calms down when you see a lot more people are in this with you?  Our water outreach went wonderfully.  We met people in beautiful downtown Kennett and we even met some people that had attended Covenant Fellowship several times.

Brent survived…and so did the others from his group.  Just that morning, the lying hair was whispering at them.  Now, just hours later, there wasn’t a peep coming from it.  Brent reflects on why:

We had a great afternoon in Kennett. God met us in our labor and our joy. We all ignored the whispers of the lying hair and were blessed as much…perhaps more…than those we met in Kennett. 

When you are tempted to listen to the hair-whispered messages from the back of your neck, remember Brent and his Community Group.  And remember The Tale of the Lying Hair.  The truth of it is…your hair can’t always be trusted to tell you the truth.  That doesn’t mean your hair is bad…it’s just that constant truth telling isn’t its style.

By Ramona Doyle

 

It’s wonderful to see children inspired by the gospel.  To see them join in the mission of the Great Commission.  That is…until it makes you really uncomfortable. 

 

Recently, in Promise Kingdom, the children had a lesson from Luke 5:1-8…where Jesus called his first disciples to join him in his mission to save the lost and become “fishers of men.” Our eight-year-old daughter was inspired!

 

The very next day in a crowded doctor’s waiting room she approached a little girl about five years old and asked, “Are you a Christian?” The girl, connecting the question to the darker skin tones of our daughter and her brother whom we adopted from Latin America, responded with a huge smile, “No, I’m Chinese.” At that point, my daughter did what any young child who had just gotten herself in over her head might do…she asked her twelve-year-old brother to take over! He shared the Gospel…and did a pretty good job!

 

Looking back, I’m saddened by my actions that day. What a wonderful response my children had to what they had learned from the Word of God…and what a faith-filled step they took. But my first response was to look around to see who was watching and whether anyone felt uncomfortable. The little girl left the conversation to continue playing and we left for home with no further ado.

 

As we left, I was aware that I had missed a huge opportunity to live what my children were learning. I could have introduced myself to the girl’s parents and started a conversation. We already shared a common bond of adoption. Perhaps our “chance” encounter would have blossomed into a relationship that would give future opportunity for the Gospel.

 

As Jesus disciples, we are a part of a bigger mission. But all too often we get caught up in the business of our lives rather than looking for opportunities to testify to the hope we have within.  But the Gospel is for every day and should have the most prominent place in our lives. And our children, who are watching our every move, can learn and grow in their understanding of the Gospel as they see it lived out in the every day of our lives.

 

Though the mission is a big one…it is also a simple one.  So simple, that children can catch a vision for it, and even join it.  We are the ones who complicate it.  We distort its simplicity with high thoughts of public sensitivity and a desire not to offend.  Yet, when I boil off my fancy terms, I’m left with my fear of man.

 

How do I escape that?  How do I join in on this big and simple mission?  Among other things, Isaiah 11:6 prophecies that “a little child will lead them.”  Though I’m certain it was not referring to our recent doctor’s office visit, it seems to fit.  Faith like a child…who is inspired to be a fisher of men.

 

May the Gospel bear good fruit in the everyday situations of our lives!

By Chris Radano

 

This past month our community group was on the schedule to go on a gospel outreach Let me admit it up front…I was pretty nervous and wasn’t looking forward to it with enthusiasm. This time, I knew I didn’t have an excuse to work late, be sick, or double book my schedule,…because, well, I’m the community group leader.  I can’t really “drum roll” the virtues of direct evangelism, send out the people in my community group while I sit elsewhere.

 

When I saw the date on the calendar, just like Moses at the burning bush, I began to tell God in my heart how slow of speech and tongue I was. And like Moses, I knew God wasn’t letting me get off the hook. You see, I have this little sin called “fear of man.” I know God wants me to overcome this fear.  Still, I became more and more fearful day by day.

 

The more I thought about the day, it became clear to me how self-focused I was becoming. As the night for gospel outreach approached, I became more wrapped up in how I was feeling, how I would do, and how the result was going to affect me. I’d missed the point of caring for the people in the same way God cares for them. Simply put, my view was inward not outward.

 

It was through a book on fasting, oddly enough, that the Lord revealed this to me. Specifically how fasting ought to consist not only the self-deprivation of food but also a desire to place that food in the mouths of the poor and oppressed. (Isaiah 58)  As I repented and moved the focus of my evangelism from self and placed it outward toward the lost, I began to see how privileged I was to be used by God in advancing the gospel, for the benefit of others. 

 

So how did the evening go? …Well for starters, the evening forecast called for rain, which tested my heart. And as I considered the option of cancelling the outreach, the Lord was kind and gave us a beautiful night. So we hit the streets and local parks and spoke to people about Christ.

 

We were able to share God’s story of salvation, our own stories of redemption, and why we enjoy telling the story to others. We were able to hear where people were struggling and share in their questions and confusions. But importantly, we were also able to point them to the solution to the problems and to the creator of their souls. I definitely wasn’t eloquent and was without question slow of speech and tongue. A couple times I was rejected. But I trusted that God could use a weak vessel like me to reveal himself to people He loves.

 

I really like how God challenges me in moments like these. It gives me assurance that He is at work transforming and sanctifying me. Even though it doesn’t seem like fun all the time (be honest with yourself), our church has provided great opportunities and teaching in direct evangelism.

 

I hope in some way my experience encourages you to go out and share the gospel with those He has called in advance; whether with your community group or even all by yourself.

 

 

By David Mayinja

Whenever I visit Covenant Mercies’ programs in Uganda, the agenda is packed and I’m apprehensive if all that is planned for the trip will be achieved. Nonetheless, there is a lot to look forward to – the children that we care for who rush out to greet me with heart melting smiles; the warm greetings from the family parents that watch over them; the ululations of joy from our staff members on the ground; the exhilarating praise and worship on Sunday, and sweet fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the local churches we have partnered with.

During a recent trip, I took a moment on a Sunday afternoon to visit with a gentleman in the Nagongera community who has become a dear friend and inspiration to me. David Ochieng is a man full of the Joy of the Lord. Despite being a poor peasant without much money or material possessions to his name, when you meet him, you think he owns the world! He greets you with the widest of smiles and a bear hug, and lets you know how grateful he is to the Lord for His goodness to him and his family. On Sunday mornings you will be able to pick out David Ochieng from the jubilant worshiping crowd. He is always at the front of the church jovially dancing to the Lord, lost in praise.  This time around he was suffering from tendonitis in one of his knees and it was quite swollen and painful. This did not stop him from dancing to his Lord! What makes this man so joyful and content in the Lord?

David’s life has not always been this way. At one time he spent most of his leisure time away from cultivating the land he owned drinking the local brew and smoking marijuana. He claimed the drugs gave him strength to work in his garden the whole day! He believed that he had control of his own destiny and did not see any need for God. However, one day Pastor John Ofumbi who is the senior pastor at the church Covenant Mercies partners with in Nagongera, preached to him the Gospel. He narrates that he was convicted by two Scriptures:

1. Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
2. Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

In 1986 David submitted to the Lordship of Christ. He says the Joy of the Lord infused his life then, and with the grace of God at work in his life he is able to see God’s glory and splendor in His creation each day. He proclaims “this is what keeps me joyful at all times”. His witness has inspired his wife of forty six years and some of his six children and eighteen grandchildren to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Encountering this man has made me ask myself the following questions:

• Am I content in having Christ and Him alone?
• Is the Joy of the Lord in my life and do I cultivate a spirit of gratefulness toward God at all times and in all circumstances?
• Do those that I come into contact with see God given joy in my life?

Which brings to mind a passage from Psalms:

Psalm 149:5 - Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.

By Jim Donohue

Water skiing can be scary.  You’re floating in dark water behind a powerful boat that’s revving its engines.  Two planks of wood are strapped to your feet and you are holding onto a rope attached to the huge motor.  Meanwhile someone is gently and soothingly encouraging you with the essential instructions to survive on the aforementioned wooden slats.  “Keep your ski tips up, bend your knees, lean back, keep your back straight and always remember to keep your elbows locked.”  As you desperately try to remember these tips, the soothing voice asks, “Are you ready?”  You give a tentative nod.  The soothing voice transforms into ferocious roar of  “HIT IT!!!!!!”

It can be a little unnerving. 

So, we were recently on vacation with another family.  Their 11 year old daughter, Zoe was getting ready to ski.  I was the soothing voice guy and was about to give her the long list of rules while the engines roared.  Then I pondered, “You know Zoe, water skiing is a lot like evangelism.  It is a little scary at first but once you get going it’s a lot of fun.” 

That’s been my experience when it comes to evangelism.  I always feel a hesitation at first.  The little voice in my head keeps saying, “I’m not sure this is a good idea!”  But then the Spirit inside of me says, “HIT IT!” and I end up opening my mouth.  The conversation gets going and is actually enjoyable.  In the two decades of my Christian life I have found that whenever I seek to share the gospel I am met with resistance and doubt.  I have never found a way to erase these feelings, I’ve just learned to overcome them.  And I’ve learned that there is some serious joy that comes when I overcome the flesh and obey God in evangelism.  It’s kind of like water skiing, it’s a little scary at first but once you get going it’s an incredible feeling to be skimming across the water with the wind in your hair.

Just this Tuesday Dave Harvey and I went to West Chester’s campus to share the gospel.  We got into a great conversation with a student named Martha, and a guy on a smoke break from his philosophy test.  When we had finished sharing the greatest news in the world with two people it seemed had never heard it before, joy filled our hearts.  We had just done what God created us to do in “testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”  I can honestly say that some of the most joyful moments in my life have been while sharing the gospel with lost men and women. 

So I yelled “HIT IT!” and Zoe popped up for a few seconds and then fell down.  I swam out, gave her a little encouragement, and then shouted again.  This time she popped up and skied around the lake with a huge smile on her face.   When she came back I gave her a big hug and said, “See, I told you it was wasn’t so hard.”

By Doug Hayes

This summer I bought a new pair of running shoes. 

Anyone who knows me well can confirm that this is not a regular occurrence for me.  I will wear a pair of sneakers until a hole in the bottom starts destroying my socks, or the flap of a disconnected sole starts tripping me up as I walk.  Some people call this being cheap.  I prefer to think of it as stewardship (“let him who has two pairs of shoes share with him who has none.”).  In truth, it’s probably a little bit of both.

So why have I purchased a new pair of running shoes this summer?  A couple of months ago, Joel Shorey started trying to convince me to train with him for a half-marathon in November.  A challenge had gone out in the Singles community of the church, and Joel wanted a training partner to help him prepare for the run.  As the most athletic member of the pastoral team (that’s not saying much), I was Joel’s natural selection.  But I wasn’t ready to commit. 

Sensing my hesitation, Joel skillfully motivated me by guilt, embarrassment, and inquiries into my masculinity, finally convincing me to “man up” and join him in his quest.  But truth be told, I had another motivation. 

In St. Louis, some dear friends of Covenant Mercies had decided to organize a run – with options available from 5k to half-marathon – as a fundraiser for the ministry.  They did this completely of their own initiative, and scheduled it for October 10.  This gave me an idea.  I could actually run a marathon this Fall!  And how does a 40-year old ex-athlete (emphasis on the ex) run a marathon?  He runs the first half in October, and the second half in November!  I realize all you running enthusiasts are going to say this doesn’t count, but for me this will be a great accomplishment!

So what does this have to do with my sneakers?

On my third training run with Joel back in April, I learned a lesson.  40 year-old men in the worst shape of their lives shouldn’t start training as if they’re 20 year-old men who’ve taken a small step backward in their physical fitness.  Even worse, they shouldn’t attempt to do it in old, beat up running shoes that don’t quite fit.  On a cold April morning (I did stretch… honest!), we were less than a mile into our run when my left leg decided to protest the beating I was putting it through without sufficient preparation.  A sharp pain halfway between my calf and my lower Achilles forced me to rest for several weeks (best guess at diagnosis: Achilles Tendinitis), and a three-week trip to Africa with the subsequent jetlag set me back even more.  But now I’m ready.  I’ve got a new pair of running shoes, a smarter training plan, and a thousand kids in Africa who stand to benefit from my efforts if I can get myself into shape and actually complete this marathon (in two parts) in the Fall.

Beginning in August, you will be able to track the progress of my training on CovenantMercies.org, find out how you can get involved personally in the run, and learn how you can give toward our fundraising goal if you are so inclined.  For now, please just pray that my Achilles will hold up, and pray that Joel doesn’t shame me into doing anything stupid before I’m ready.  

Anyone else looking to get in shape? 

Editor’s Note:  The status of Doug as “the most athletic member of the pastoral team” is currently under review…and far from certain.

By Lennie Spitale

Editor’s Note: Lennie Spitale has been involved in full-time prison ministry for many years. In fact, he’s even written a book or two on the topic. Just pop his name into Amazon.com and you’ll pull up his book entitled Prison Ministry: Understanding the Prison Culture from the Inside and Out. It has this plug from Chuck Colson on the cover: “This may well be the definitive book on prison ministry.” Lennie now oversees the prison ministry of Covenant Fellowship Church.  What a gift this man is to our church! Below is an update from Lennie on our Prison Ministry.

 

“I am an inmate at GWCF (G.W. Hill Correctional Facility), and I’ve been attending your church services…Your services have helped me and others maintain a good spirit and hope! I and my fellow inmates thank you.”

 

The sentiments above were taken from a letter that was recently sent to the church in response to one of the prison team’s ministry among them. GWCF is the alternative name for the Delaware County Prison, which is located only a few miles from Covenant Fellowship making it a prime target for evangelistic outreach. The church has granted me the privilege of leading the team for the past year.

 

Over the last year, the prison itself has gone through a change of leadership. Beginning January 1^st, an entirely new administration took over the facility; the old guard is out and the new guard is in. (Pun intended)  And although this resulted in many administrative changes for the correctional staff, its impact upon the prison team was minimal. We were able to continue serving at our various weekly assignments without interruption.

 

One major key to the smooth transition was the fact that God has our own David Robinson, a member here at CFC, as the sole chaplain for the Delaware County Prison. David and I meet regularly and he was able to keep me aware of all the changes that were taking place.

 

The new administration has set a limit on how many volunteers a church can send into the facility. Their formula is a limit of four volunteers per service. Since we currently have five weekly services going on, in five separate units of the institution (two for women and three for men), we are allowed a total of twenty volunteers. Our CFC prison team now has 21 members, which includes two letter-writers.

 

Currently in process, is the launching of Grafted In, a CFC outreach that is designed to help former prisoners integrate into the life of the church. This mentor-driven ministry will be headed up by Tom and Maggie Fitzpatrick.

 

Please pray regularly for this ministry. The prison is replete with opportunities for the gospel to go forward, to both save and encourage.  Pray for the volunteers to have courage and for the hearts of the inmates to be open.

By David Mayinja

 

When you hear the word “poverty,” what picture comes to mind? A child in rural Africa dressed in rugs with flies clustered around his dirty face? Or a young girl in Ecuador falling prey to child traffickers as she searches for a job in the big city? Or maybe it’s the children on the streets of the inner city in your own backyard being ensnared by drug sellers?

 

As we consider how we ought to think and what we could do to help, it is important to know three things about poverty.

 

1. The Source of Poverty is Bigger than Man:  In the creation account, God pronounced as good all that he had made. (Genesis 1:31) He provided food in abundance so that none experienced want. (Genesis 1:29) Man was fulfilled in his work, joyfully employed in God’s Garden. However, with Adam and Eve’s rebellion came the Fall. With the Fall came the curse.  The seeds of economic hardship were planted at the fall of man. They blossomed into natural disaster, famine, and drought.

 

2. The Difficulties of Poverty are Made Worse by Man:  Even if man develops the capacity to produce enough resources to meet all mankind’s basic needs, corruption would still rule the day. As a result of the Fall, greed and covetousness are inherent to human nature. The results are self-evident: social injustice, oppression, and structural evil pervade all parts of the world…especially the developing nations. These vices fuel world poverty, and as long as they exist, world poverty will continue to be a reality we have to live with.

3. Poverty will Remain with Us until Jesus Returns:  We must be mindful that, through the atoning death of Christ, man is ultimately restored to God. In the end, there will be a final act when Christ’s return to earth will mean the restoration of everything.  When the damage of the Fall is reversed, creation itself will be set free from the decay and corruption of sin (Romans 8:20-22). When God finally redeems the creation, there will be no more poverty and the intolerable suffering we are faced with today.

Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you.” (Mark 14:7)  But this truth does not let us off the hook nor does it allow us to ignore the poor.  The Scriptures hold out a consistent call to compassion and care for the poor and the oppressed.  They call the believer to fight injustice (Micah 6:8), to look after the orphan and the widow (James 1:27), and to care for the poor (Psalm 41:1).

 

So, what’s a Christian to do?  Deuteronomy 15:11 puts it well:

 

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

 

This may be through the orphan sponsorship program at Covenant Mercies.  It may be baskets of food at Thanksgiving or Christmas.  It may mean serving at a soup kitchen or city ministry.  Or, it may be as simple and mundane as a small token of generosity toward a neighbor or friend in need.  The call is not to obliterate poverty, but a heart’s posture of openhandedness toward the poor and needy.  When we do this, we’re reminded of our own need that God himself meets…and we bring him glory.

By Doug Hayes

As I write, I am 40,000 feet above the African continent reflecting on a fruitful visit to Zambia while inching ever closer to my next stop in Uganda.  I’m also reflecting on my gratitude to God for our sponsors, who are quite literally changing the lives of the children in our Sponsorship Program through their generosity. 

Each time I’m in Zambia, I spend a Saturday walking through Chipulukusu and Nkwazi with Charles Muwaya (coordinator of our Sponsorship Program there).  These are the two slums on the fringes of Ndola where the majority of our sponsored children live.  I have often thought of these compounds as exactly the types of places Jesus sent us when he said, “When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.” (Luke 14:13-14).  Some of the world’s most marginalized people live right here.  And Jesus, consistent with the values of his upside-down kingdom, instructs us to take initiative toward them precisely because they cannot pay us back.  This, we are told, will lead to blessing and great reward in the life to come. 

Much like Nazareth in Jesus’ day, many have said, “Can anything good come out of Chipulukusu?”  Children growing up on this compound tend to remain within the clutches of extreme poverty for their entire lives.  The government school in their neighborhood is called Chibolele, a word that means “rotten” in the local language (imagine putting that on your résumé). 

Materially speaking, the guardians of these children have no ability to repay the kindness you have shown them by helping to care for the fatherless grandchildren, nieces and nephews they have welcomed into their homes.  The children themselves can only receive, thoroughly incapable of reciprocating the generosity you have lavished on their lives by sending them to school, giving them improved nutrition and healthcare, and inspiring them to hope for a brighter future. 

As the “representative head” of Covenant Mercies’ army of sponsors, I am blessed to be repaid – at least to some degree – in this life.  There are few things more rewarding than seeing the smiles on the faces of the children we’re supporting, or receiving the overwhelming gratitude of their guardians.  Last Saturday in Chipulukusu, one elderly grandmother literally danced and clapped her hands as she thanked me for sending her granddaughters to school, for supplying medicines so the ringworm could be eradicated from the younger girls’ scalp, and for countless other kindnesses extended through our program.  Meanwhile, the girls beamed with beautiful smiles as my friend David Sacks snapped photos of them for our next Portraits of Hope event. 

When I have these sort of experiences, I never fail to remember that I am merely a face representing hundreds of others who have been moved to extend care to those who cannot repay their kindness, and whom they may never meet in this life.  It is a great encouragement to soak in the smiles and the gestures of gratitude, but this is an encouragement that you should feel as well.

At the resurrection of the just, I wonder whether part of your reward might be to receive firsthand the words of thanks and expressions of joy that I am privileged to receive on your behalf for now.  If you are sponsoring a child through Covenant Mercies’ program, thank you for the sacrifices you are making to make your child as a priority in your life.  Surely, you will not lose your reward. 

I wish you could see me now.  I’m dancing at 40,000 feet, just like a Zambian grandma. 

If you are interested in more information about our Sponsorship Program, simply click HERE.

By David Mayinja

God moves all around the globe to care for His people, to save lost souls and to provide mercy to those in need.  And He is using Covenant Mercies to play a small but integral part in His work.  One of those places He is using Covenant Mercies is in caring for orphans in Ndola, Zambia.  The work in Ndola began three years ago in collaboration with Pastor Wilbroad Chanda of Ndola Baptist Church and his wife, Zicky.

Wilbroad and Zicky established a Christian school – Light House Christian School – in 2005 specifically to offer a quality education and hope for a better future to the children on the streets and in the slums of Ndola. Eighty-nine of the 142 children enrolled in the Covenant Mercies Zambia sponsorship program currently attend this school.

For a number of years, the school has operated from a rented building.  Even though the facility is barely sufficient for their needs, rent costs continue to increase toward becoming prohibitive with each succeeding year. For that reason, Light House Christian School has purchased land and is embarking on constructing a school campus.

To aid in this effort, Covenant Mercies is collaborating with Providence Church in Bethel Park (Pittsburgh area) to send to Ndola a mission team of twenty members led by Wayne Harvey of Providence Church and David Bard of Covenant Fellowship Church on a 12-day trip in July to assist with the beginning of construction of the school.

A Pittsburgh newspaper, The Almanac, highlights this trip in a recent article. A seventeen-year-old student who is planning to be part of the trip was interviewed for the article. He enthusiastically stated: “Being a part of a project of this nature changes you; dedicating yourself to help complete strangers on a different continent strengthens your sense of community at home. It expands how much mercy, generosity and kindness you show toward others in daily life. The needs of these people are real.”

The team from Providence Church will be the first team Covenant Mercies has coordinated for a mission to Ndola, Zambia. For many in the team, it will be the first time on an international mission. They plan to take with them school supplies and clothes for the children. They are also looking forward to sharing the Gospel of grace with many that do not know Christ.

Covenant Mercies is also coordinating another mission team to its flagship program in Nagongera, Uganda in mid August to continue the construction of New Life School initiated last September. The team plans to finish off work on two dormitories and begin work on the planned science laboratories buildings. Do you have a desire for international missions? Do you sense a call to affect the quality of life and future of orphans in Nagongera? Go to the Covenant Mercies web page here and fill in the application form.

By Rob Flood

Prayer.  Faith.  Godly ambition.  Worship.  These are just some of the things that make our faith vibrant…that are “vital” for our walk with Christ.  And that is why we’ve covered them as primary topics in recent Vital Life classes. 

Mark Prater taught on prayer.  Andy  Farmer taught about how to face our anxieties with faith.  He then taught about how to face our laziness with godly ambition.  Marty Machowski taught about worship Christ as we behold His power.

As a church, we all seek growth in our knowledge, in our character, in the strength of our spiritual lives.  This is why we do Vital Life classes…and this is why we are doing two more.

Beginning this Sunday, the two final classes of the Spring will be offered.  And, like the others, they are intended to equip you, to educate you, and to lift your eyes in wonder at our great God.  Here’s a bit about each.

Straight Talk – Exploring the Purpose and Practice of Communication

Life is full of relationships…and relationships are full of communication.  Whether you're relating to your spouse, your roommate, your boss, your children, or your friends, there is no escaping the importance of communication.  So, if it’s so important, why aren’t we better at it? 

This class will get to the center of why communication is often difficult for us and then cover a number of ways to grow in our skill with it.  The promise held out for all who attend is that the information will be biblical, the help will be practical, and the applied benefit tangible.

Rob Flood will be helping us through the class as he teaches in the Edwards Room (right next to the auditorium across from the stairs.)  Walk-ins are more than welcome.

The God Who Saves – A Closer Look at How God Delivers Us from Sin  

The doctrine of salvation rests at the center of Christ purpose in coming and, therefore, at the center of Christianity itself.  Far from a stoic, dry, and boring topic, how God saves sinners is at the core of the joy we are called to experience as Christians.  This class will walk through how God saves sinners, and how these glorious truths might impact our faith and our lives.

Who needs to know more about this topic?  Who needs to consider attending this class?  You do…I do…we all need to grow in our understanding of salvation, since through God’s salvation we stand to learn so much about God.  The promise held out to all who attend is that you will leave with more than knowing…you will leave with deep wonder at how such things could be.

Jim Donohue will be helping us through the class as he teaches in the Owen Room (upstairs where ECF is normally held.)  Walk-ins are more than welcome.

If you haven’t ever attended a Vital Life class, now is the time.  If you have, then you know that these classes help you on your mission.  And, as a result, they help the church on her mission.

By Stefan Bomberger

When it comes to outreach are you feeling a little rusty? Or just looking for another outlet to let your light shine? Then look no further than Second Saturday.

What is Second Saturday?

Second Saturday is a monthly morning of service, mercy, and evangelism. Think of it like an outreach fair. You show up at 9:30am in the lobby and there are many outreach stations to choose from. Anything from doing visits at a nursing home, delivering Bibles to homes in Chester, sharing the gospel downtown, cleaning up 202, and much more. As summer approaches we're going to re-launch our annual car washes as well! Our goal is to provide various opportunities to reach out to our community with the love of Jesus through both word and deed.

Best of all, you get to pick whatever you want to do. No pressure. Find whatever you’re most comfortable with and sign up. You will receive on-the-site training, so no experience for any of the outreaches is necessary.  Just bring yourself and dress accordingly if you plan on doing an outreach outside. We also have at least one outreach that stays back at the building with the children to do a craft or assemble something outreach-related.

For example, we might make gift bags to give out, or put invite-cards on candy canes to give out during the holidays. Children age three and older are welcome to come and help on the craft. Older children and youth can also go out on almost any of the outreaches, based on your comfort level and supervision.

When does Second Saturday Meet?

Second Saturday meets every second Saturday of the month, rain or shine. So for example, the next three are June 13, July 11, and August 8. It starts at 9:30 am with a light continental breakfast and ends at 1:00 pm with a brief pizza lunch and a chance to share highlights from the various outreaches. Both meals are free.

Who Should Attend Second Saturday?

If you have a passion for outreach and evangelism, or would simply like to grow in your heart for reaching out to others, this context is perfect for you. There are people who are out regularly who love walking the campuses and the shopping malls sharing the gospel, starting spiritual conversations.  There are also people who come out regularly who just want to share the love of Christ with others through service or generosity with the hope that the mercy will provide opportunities for the Gospel.

Since evangelism, in one form or another, is a call we all have, then Second Saturday’s are a wonderful context for you…regardless of your preferences.  So is you’re interested in a morning of service, mercy, and evangelism, join us for the next Second Saturday.

 

By Doug Hayes

 

A few months back, I met with violinist John Blake and others who were preparing to perform at Covenant Mercies’ benefit concert, A Note of Hope.  As we discussed musical ideas for the show, John mentioned the song “Hold On,” a traditional Negro Spiritual he was recording in a new jazz arrangement.  The song – actually the title alone – immediately struck me as powerfully relevant to the orphaned children we are serving in Uganda, Zambia, and Ethiopia.  On my next trip to Africa, I wrote a poem around that theme, and read it last Saturday at the concert as an introduction to the song.      

 

Since then, numerous people have requested it.  So here it is as I read it at the concert, a poem and a prayer for our children and their guardians:  Hold On.

 

Hold On

 

When you’ve lost all faith in the Father above

And your dreams disappeared with the ones that you loved

When a broken down shanty’s the only home you’ve ever known

And you lay down at night to the growl and the groan

Of a stomach so empty with a hunger so fierce

Getting up in the morning seems a price too dear

To give for the sweat and toil of the day

Is this your reward?  Is this your pay?

But the babies are crying with a noise so grim

You get up with the dawn, you get up for them

You can’t read and learn, but maybe they will

'f you can just push them up to the crest of that hill

When your sole motivation is the need to survive

To reach another day is the fuel for your drive

When there’s no higher purpose than remaining alive

Hold on

There is hope

 

When you’ve lost all feeling in the soles of your feet

‘cause you walked all day in the sun-baked heat

No job, no work, the familiar refrain

So you dig in your garden and you pray for the rain

When you want a drink of water, but none can be found

‘cept the parasitic mixture with the mud on the ground

When the curable kills and the treatable maims

And there ain’t no remedy to relieve your pains

When you’re thinking of doing what you know to be wrong

To put food on your table, to compose a new song

To make a new life, to write a new chapter

But there’s snares on that road to the good thing you’re after

When you think that road’s the only one left

You’d defile yourself for that child on your breast

When every known path leads to misery and death

Hold on

There is hope

 

When the roof overhead fails to keep out the rain

And the rags on your shoulders whisper ridicule and shame

When the porridge doesn’t reach to the brim of your bowl

And the ache gives way t’ coldness in the depths of your soul

When your body’s wasting and your spirit’s numb

Hold on with one hand, one finger, one thumb

‘cause poverty’s a liar and despondency’s a thief

Indignity gone walkin’ on Dignity Street

You must push back; that ground do not surrender

There’s no one who can take from you what God put at your center

When you’re tempted to believe your lifelong lamentation

Proves beyond a doubt your lesser valuation 

Remember you’re the image of the Ruler of Creation

Hold on

There is hope

 

But where will you look for this hope you seek?

To turn mourning into dancing, to bring joy from grief

Does your hope consist in material things?

In houses and cars, in diamonds and rings?

In pleasures designed to comfort the creature?

You know in your spirit there’s something much deeper

Your hope is anchored in the hands that made

Your frame in love and willingly paid

The debt to redeem a sin-wrecked world

Through perfection of suffering to yield a pearl

You will lay down all for this pearl of great price

You will rise from the depths and reach for the heights

You will walk and not faint; with the strong you will run

You will feast at the table though now you’ve but a crumb

Now look to the hills from whence your help comes

Hold on

There is hope

There is love

There is joy in the morning

Hold on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Rob Flood

 

Something new is afoot at Covenant Fellowship Church.  And it is resulting in reaching people we previously couldn’t reach.  We have officially begun holding ESL (English as a Second Language) classes right here in the church.  On Wednesday, April 15^th, ESL classes began under the direction of Carlos and Maria Garcia.

 

On the morning of the first Wednesday, we only had 3 people registered.  With that number, the volunteers and teachers outnumbered the registrants.  However, when 7:30 rolled around, 20 students had shown up with the promise of 4 more in the weeks to come.  Praise God!  The students were diverse, too, with their primary languages ranging many nationalities.

 

Carlos was quick to turn his heart to gratitude: to others and to God.  Here are some of his thoughts:

 

“We want to specifically thank those of you who took the time to personally invite people to be part of the program. Many of the students who were there last night were there because of your invitations.”

 

“We acknowledge that none of this would have happened without the Lord’s provision of both volunteers as well as students. We trust that He has provided and that He will continue to do so in the future. May the Lord’s name be blessed!”

 

It is our hope as a church to provide care and education for all those who attend.  But it is much more than that.  We hope God will use these relationships to provide opportunities for His Gospel to be shared and His Kingdom to go forth. 

 

For those in attendance who are believers, we hope that their newfound aptitude with English will provide greater opportunity for their growth and edification, as well as their own sharing of the Gospel.

 

And for those in attendance who are not believers, we ask for your prayers.  Pray that they would experience the love of Christ through the service of our church.  Pray that they would be open to spiritual things and come to faith in Jesus Christ. 

 

And pray for our volunteers.  First, thank God for their service and their sacrifice.  Then ask that God would give them insight and patience in working with the students.  Pray that they would have eyes to see opportunities for eternal matters and then be filled with wisdom and faith for how to seize those opportunities.

 

We are indeed a church rich with a variety of gifts.  And, by God’s grace, we are growing in the diversity of people God draws here.  What a blessing to see God move in God’s way.  And what a blessing that we all get to be a part of it.

By David Mayinja

Have you looked forward to the birth of your new baby, anticipated their arrival, imagined how they will look, looked forward to counting those ten toes and fingers, seeing all the other physical attributes in their proper place, hearing that first cry as they take their first breath of the earthly air, but alas, they arrive into this world with a deformity?  Probably this has happened to you, but being in a developed country, probably this was even detected during the pregnancy on one of your prenatal visits and the doctors began formulating a plan for taking care of the deformity in your child.  Now imagine a poor woman in rural Uganda pregnant with her third child, with no access to primary health care, and no not visit to the doctor in the nine months she is pregnant.  Then the day comes and she gives birth at home to a child with a congenital deformity –Meningocoele – a condition characterized by an unfused spine with a protruding fluid filled sac from the brain.  What does this mother do?

 

By the Grace of God this mother heard through the grapevine that Covenant Mercies was conducting a medical mission not too far from where she lived. So she bundled up her one month old daughter Asaph one afternoon and brought her to the clinic. During the examination the mother narrated to the physician attending to the baby that the only option available to them for medical care was the traditional doctor in the village. They had taken the baby to him and he had pierced the fluid filled sac with a red hot nail and applied herbal medicines. This could have led to infections, but by the mercy of God, the child was healthy.

 

Asaph needed corrective surgery or she would not live beyond her first year. This surgery could only be performed in a pediatric hospital in Mbale, a day and a half of hard travel away.  As we considered our limited options to serve her, I managed to get in touch with an American doctor who had previously been the administrator of this hospital.  He informed me that there was a referral hospital three hours away from where we were!  They would be able to evaluate the child’s condition before being transported to Mbale.  I contacted the director of this facility and brought her up to speed with the situation we were handling and she promised to get back to me the next day. The following morning she called me and informed me that two representatives from the pediatric hospital in Mbale would be attending a meeting thirty minutes from where we were conducting our mission! She requested me to have the child brought there for the evaluation. It was becoming pretty obvious to me that God’s hand was at work in this situation.

 

The child and her mother were taken to the arranged venue the next day.  The doctors evaluated the child and decided to admit her to their referral hospital for preparation to be transported to the pediatric hospital in Mbale.  She was moved up the priority list for surgeries and two successive operations were performed on her.

Asaph was later returned to the referral hospital near nearby where she recovered from the surgeries before going back to her village.  The parents were given counsel as to how to care for her when she returned home. The costs for all the medical care were underwritten by two of the members of the Covenant Mercies medical mission to Kiburara. The doctors who performed the operation have indicated that Asaph will be able to have a normal life and has promise to grow into adulthood.   

What a testimony of God’s care and love for this family!  Pastor Moses, with whose church Covenant Mercies has partnered in Kiburara, continues to make regular visits to this family and to share with them the Gospel.  May this significant intervention of God in their mundane and difficult life awaken them to His Saving grace and mercy?

 

We can all rejoice in Asaph’s story – a story of God bringing the resources of two local churches – one a suburban congregation in the US, the other a small church in rural Uganda – together through the ministry of Covenant Mercies to make a life changing difference in one family’s life.  

 

By Stefan Bomberger

 

You probably have many reasons you are pro-life.  But what if you were asked this in a supermarket line or by the person sitting next to you on a bus or plane?  Could you answer it in 30 seconds?  Could your short answer do your convictions justice?

 

A recent pro-life training class was given this challenge by Lindsey Hoban.  She is a fellow church member and law student at Drexel. The challenge was to prepare a clear and concise defense as to why they are pro-life; something that could be shared in about 30 seconds. And something that is persuasive, taking into consideration many of the counter-arguments before they are even spoken.

 

To this end, she gave us a sample which she regularly uses with her friends, classmates, and teachers. It was excellent, I’ve included it in the blog today for everyone’s benefit:

 

“How do we know when a member of the human race isn't a person? A line has to be drawn where personhood begins.  Everyone is drawing a line—whether they realize it or not.  Conception is the most logical, scientifically defendable place to draw that line because conception marks the beginning of a genetically distinct, unitary human being maturing through self-directed development.”

 

“Every time in history that we’ve made personhood contingent on anything other than membership in the human race, the consequences have been horrific (declaring slaves as non-persons; the Holocaust).  The power to deny personhood is the power to strip rights and destroy.  We should take great pause before saying that another human is not a person.”

 

Notice five key concepts Lindsey introduces in her argument:

 

1.      Genetically distinct – “Genetically distinct” means that an embryo is a different organism than the mother (different DNA).  In contrast, sperm and egg cells aren't distinct organisms; they're just another one of mom and dad's cells.  At the end of 9 months, an unfertilized egg is still one cell, no infant.

 

2.      Human being – An embryo is fully human. An embryo isn’t a “potential life”.  It may be a “potential adult”, just like an adolescent, but they’re already alive.

 

3.      Unitary – An embryo is a group of cells—but it's a different kind of group than the cells I lose when I cut my finger.  The difference is that an embryo is a unitary organism while the blood in my band-aid isn't. I can cut my finger and lose a group of cells but I haven't lost a human being.             

 

4.      Maturing – In the proper environment, embryos mature at a rapid pace. Unless severely damaged or lacking nutrients, there is a “gapless continuum” of development. 

 

5.      Through self-directed development – An embryo’s development is self-directed—not extrinsically determined.  It has DNA information and has active disposition to use that information.

 

I’d encourage you to take up Lindsey’s challenge.  Grab a piece of paper and give it a shot creating your own, 30-second answer. What would you say when someone asks you why you are pro-life?

 

Editor’s Note: For more information and reading on the issue of abortion, consider these two fine resources by Randy Alcorn:  “Why Pro-Life” and “Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments.”

By Doug Hayes

 

Next time you have an opportunity to spend time with an infant, run a little test.  Hold a brightly colored toy in front of the baby’s face until it grabs his attention, then move it quickly behind your back.  At 6 months of age, the infant will simply move on to something else as if the object no longer exists. 

 

At 9 months to a year, the child will look for the toy and possibly even crawl around behind your back to find it.  That’s because he has acquired what child development experts call object permanence:  the knowledge that an object continues to exist even when it is out of sight. 

 

Prior to the development of object permanence, it is truly “out of sight, out of mind.”

 

Living in the suburbs can lead us to an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality toward the poor.  We’re pretty comfortable and typically pretty busy, so it’s easy to forget that our experience is not shared by most people in the world.  Suffering under injustice, multi-generational poverty cycles, and disease is common.  We need to develop what Gary Haugen calls compassion permanence:  the capacity to remember the needs of those who are suffering…even when they are out of our immediate sight.  

 

Compassion permanence is not best motivated by guilt.  We are not to feel guilty that we live like this and they live like that.  Compassion permanence is best motivated by cultivating a heart for the poor that resonates with God’s heart for them. 

 

How can we cultivate compassion permanence?

 

- Adopt God’s Heart of the Poor: Develop a sensitivity to the many biblical references to the poor, the orphan, the widow, and the disposition of God toward them.  Consider these examples:

Psalm 72:4 - May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!

Luke 14:13-14 - But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.

When you read these verses, don’t think, “That’s the way it was in biblical times.  That’s not the world I live in.”  That is the world you live in.  The fact that this side of the world is outside the realm of common experience only magnifies the need to intentionally remember.  God’s Word can help us to do that.     

 

- Take Action: In addition to remembering the poor, we are called to take action on their behalf.  Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me food… I was sick and you visited me.”  Those are action words!  Biblical compassion doesn’t simply empathize with the poor; it takes action to alleviate their suffering. 

 

- Give to the Work:  Another means of serving the poor (and taking action on their behalf) is financial giving.  Let’s be honest… even in these uncertain financial times, God has given most of us resources far in abundance of our needs.  I can only believe he intends us to emulate the example of our selfless Savior, emptying ourselves of material riches so that others might know the riches of his mercy and grace.

 

Alongside all of these ways to cultivate compassion permanence must be prayer.  We must do whatever is necessary to remind us to pray for the poor around the world.  Notes on the fridge…post its in your Bible…reminders on your Blackberry or laptop.  If we are faithful to pray for the poor, they will never be out of our minds…even if they are out of our sight.

 

As Covenant Mercies’ makes regular contributions toward this blog, we will attempt to help in the struggle we all have to cultivate compassion permanence as a church.

 

Posted by Rob Flood

 

For years, every Wednesday night in our home, I taught a Bible study.  One evening, at the beginning of one of our meetings, there was a knock on our door.  I opened to find a high school acquaintance and, who I later discovered to be, his wife.  I asked what brought them out to the Bible study and heard this surprising response:  “I think we’re supposed to be born again and I was hoping you could tell us how to do that.”

 

On that odd Wednesday night, evangelism stepped into my world.  It may be the first recorded event where a person knocked on the door…not to share the gospel…but to ask for it.  But don’t get used to that kind of opportunity, folks.  It doesn’t happen often…and it hasn’t happened since.

 

We have been given a message to take to the lost.  We are not to hoard our message until the lost come knocking at our door…we are to take it to them.  Consider Romans 10:15:

 

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

 

Notice it doesn’t say “How beautiful are the front doors of those who preach the good news;” it says “feet.”  And it says “feet” because that is what brought the good news into “their” world.  The good news was not buried in our world for them to come and get it whenever they felt like it.

 

Stepping into evangelism most often means stepping out of our world. 

 

This Sunday, at Covenant Life Church, Jim Donohue preached a message on evangelism.  (the full audio can be found HERE.) In his message, he highlights the awkwardness of stepping out of your world, along with the necessity of doing so.  (Check out the clip of Jim’s message below.)  As you consider this truth in light of your world, may you pursue feet of ever-increasing beauty.

Posted by Stefan Bomberger

 

Spring is upon us and people are heading outdoors after being holed up all winter in their homes.  Families are going on walks again and our neighborhoods and shopping areas are seeing new life.  With the warmer weather comes a renewed opportunity to reach out to the lost.  Here at CFC, that means the re-launch of our annual Community Groups’ Gospel Outreaches.

 

What is Gospel Outreach or GO? Each year every small group in our church goes out one night to share the gospel together. We go to parks, malls, college campuses, downtown areas - basically wherever people are out and about. And we go with the hope of connecting with folks and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

As we embark on this annual adventure, it’s good to remind ourselves why we go through this exercise as a church. We go first and foremost because Jesus has called us to proclaim His gospel. And because people won’t be saved apart from hearing it. But we also go out to develop a greater burden for the lost. We’ve come to realize that for most of us, evangelism is more easily “caught” than “taught.” And as often as we discuss our desire for the lost be saved, nothing fosters a burden for the lost like going out and sharing with them. 

 

Consider this quote from Mark McCloskey’s book Tell it Often, Tell it Well:

 

“If you want to develop a burden for the lost, go out and talk to the lost and find out how lost they really are. If you desire to have the crucial nature of evangelism branded on your heart, go out and do it, and you will become convinced of just how crucial it is. If you want to develop the conviction that Jesus does indeed change lives, take His life-changing message to others and see if this isn’t true.”

 

So, with Gospel Outreaches, we go out develop that crucial nature of evangelism.  And we do it with friends…those who are laboring and living alongside you.  People approach these outreaches with postures ranging from boldness to flat out fear.  And that’s okay…for the bold, it is an opportunity to express bold humility.  For the fearful, it is an opportunity for God to be strong in your weakness.

 

If you still aren’t sure whether evangelism is for you, don’t write it off just yet. Participate in the Gospel Outreach with your Community Group this year. Pray for courage…pray for compassion…pray for the lost.  Take the life-changing message of Christ crucified to others and expect God to change hearts – beginning with your own.

Posted by Rob Flood

You’ve heard of the proverbial frog in a pot?  You know the one that immediately jumps out if the water is boiling, but stays in to his peril if the water is heated slowly?  Well, let me ask you a question…have you felt like a frog recently?  Some recent data reveals that we all might be a bit froggy.  Take a look.

According to a recent survey published by USA Today, our nation is steadily becoming non-religious.  And I don’t mean drifting slowly…I mean an avalanche of turning from religion. The survey took place over the course of nearly 20 years and was done state by state.

The interactive graph and the full-length article can be found by clicking these links:

Graph - Here

Article - Here

What are we to do with information like this?  What does it have to do with us?

There can often be an assumption that America has heard the gospel.  That our nation…our neighbors…know what Christianity is all about.  That most of the people we know believe in God and have faith that influences their lives.  These assumptions are increasingly false.

As a church, we exist to Treasure, Proclaim, and Grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This survey is another reminder that part of our mission is to Proclaim.  There are people around the world that have never heard the gospel.  There are entire cultures that have no idea that Christ came…that Christ died…and that Christ rose again.  They are often known as “unreached people groups.” 

As we have a heart to reach those nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to see the gospel ignorance in our own nation.  We need to see the lack of awareness that our own neighbors have of this Christ who came, died, and rose again.  We are living in the midst of unreached people.  Our mission…and the Great Commission…beckon us to reach them.

How?

• Sharing the Gospel:  Our church has created a wonderful tract for those who want help in sharing the gospel with their neighbors.  It is called How Good are You?  Pick up a copy by the information desk or contact the church.
• Living the Gospel:  Seek to have upright relationships with your neighbors.  Seek to know them.  Grill some hot dogs in the front of your driveway and invite your neighbors to pull up a blanket and share.  Invite the couple next door on a walk around the block.  Ask them how they’re doing.  Engage with them in care and conversation and let them see Christ in you.
• Invite them to Alpha:  Our next course begins April 15^th.  Alpha is a great way for them to wrestle with questions of faith in a safe and informative environment.  And it works.

 In the end, we all need to acknowledge that we’ve been a bit froggy.  It’s time for us to notice that the water around us is changing, to jump out, and to take action.  It’s time for us to reach those who are currently unreached.  It’s time for us to proclaim!

Posted by Rob Flood

Okay…so…a Tech Sergeant, a musician and a bald guy walk into a church… 

This sounds like the beginning of a joke…a potentially funny one.  But it’s not a joke at all…believe it or not, it is now our history.  In 2007, a Tech Sergeant (Raymond Cournoyer), a musician (Rob Flood), and a bald guy (Joel Shorey) were all simultaneously interns here at the church.  And now, at the beginning of 2009, the Tech Sergeant is the new Church Administrator, the bald guy is the new Single’s pastor, and the musician is the new Family Life pastor…and the guy writing this blog.

What happened that changed the joke into the newest additions to the pastoral team?  Well…you did.  In the late winter / early spring of 2007, the members of Covenant Fellowship Church generously gave to the Mission Fund.  And that giving made possible the training of this dynamic trio at the Sovereign Grace Pastors College.

But this is not about Raymond, Rob and Joel.  And, truth be told, its not about the wonderful members of the church, either.  It is about God.

You gave in faith.  Faith that God would gather the funds necessary to meet the needs we all saw.  Faith that God would be glorified in how we used the funds.  But God was up to something even greater than meeting the needs we all saw…He was up to meeting needs we didn’t yet know we had.

As we plant this new church in the Downingtown / Lionville area, we send two of our finest pastors out to lead it.  Your investment in the Mission Fund of 2007 equipped Covenant Fellowship Church with these additional laborers so that we would not be shorthanded in 2009.  And that is all about God.

This Sunday is Mission Sunday here at church.  And it is pretty exciting.  Why?  Not necessarily because of what God may or may not do at the service Sunday.  It is exciting because we don’t know what the Lord will bring our way this year.  We don’t know who He’ll bring our way this year.  But we do know this…He will use the Mission Fund that is collected this Sunday to advance His kingdom, serve this church, and bring glory to His name.  And that is exciting.

Your giving to the Mission Fund is a tangible way to address the needs that face us…and the needs that will face us.  It is a mode through which we train those who God has given…and those He will give.  It is a means for all of us to take part in the greater mission of the church…and of Sovereign Grace Ministries.

The call to consider taking part in the Mission Fund is opportunity knocking at our doors.  Our God is faithful and will most certainly be active in our midst throughout the next year…and we get to play a part.  And if that doesn’t help, just think of it this way: at least you’ll be prepared the next time a Tech Sergeant, a musician, and a bald guy walk into the church. 

By David Mayinja

Editors Note: This entry by David Mayinja displays a wonderful mercy outreach for families to do together. It also reveals God’s heart for the fatherless…a worthy read at any time. For more information on Caring for Orphans, be sure to follow the link at the end of the blog.

I grew up in a middle class family of six children. My father was an engineer and had a good career in Uganda. My siblings and I were able to enroll in some of the best private schools, and were well taken care of. In my third year of high school, my father was gunned down on the streets of the capital city, Kampala. During that time, Uganda was experiencing political turmoil and instability due to the chaos and ethnic conflicts that plagued the country in the early 1980’s.

A few months before my father’s death, I had accepted Jesus as my Savior at a conference that I was invited to by a Christian young man who had befriended me when I joined high school. During my time of grief, the members of the Christian Fellowship rallied around me and provided encouragement and care that completely overwhelmed me. It helped me to remain focused on the Lord and to trust that He was in control of my life. With the help of some of the leaders, I learnt to pray and to wait upon the Lord. Little did I know what a means of God’s Grace prayer would become for my family and me in the days ahead.

The passing of my father left my mother, who had no career, with the daunting responsibility of caring for six children in a deteriorating economy. However, despite not having had the privilege of a high school education, my mother managed to turn her hobbies of sewing and baking into a small business that was able to keep us afloat. We moved out of our home in the suburbs into a small apartment to cut costs. Our extended family, in true African custom, also became a means of God’s provision and grace in our lives by contributing toward my mother’s start up capital for the business. An uncle took responsibility for me and provided a home and tuition for my high school education. He became my mentor and inspiration for a better future.

In spite of numerous difficulties and trials we faced as a family in the succeeding years, we experienced God’s faithfulness and providential care for us in countless ways. God has honored His word in my life, that He is indeed “A Father of the fatherless….” (Psalm 68:5) I was ultimately able to undertake graduate studies in International Economic Development in the United States. The program, along with my recent work experience in International Development, has prepared me well for the role I have recently taken on in Covenant Mercies’ initiatives in Africa.

It is indeed a privilege to be involved full time with Covenant Mercies; but what gives my family and me greater joy is the life change we have observed each passing year in Michael Owino, the child we sponsor through CM’s Orphan Sponsorship Program He has been given an opportunity to an education and a hope for a brighter future. However, in many ways we have been the greater beneficiaries as we have supported him.

As one who understands firsthand the challenges faced by fatherless children in Africa, I do encourage you to consider sponsoring a child in one of our programs in Uganda, Zambia, or Ethiopia. Your involvement will have an enduring effect in an orphan’s life and bring much glory to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

God is indeed a Father to the fatherless. Would you consider being a means of his grace to one of our children?