An Act Of Kimbilio

Every once in a while I hear about a church that gets it (in my opinion) and steps out in faith to do what God has called the church to do.


This morning I was handed the NW Section of the Seattle Times where a title jumped out at me:  A Call To Higher Service [Oct 4, by Katherine Long, Seattle Times staff reporter].  It's a story about a church in downtown Seattle who is taking a great leap of faith and revamping their ministry away from themselves and towards those who are on the margins of life; the poor, the homeless, the orphans, the abandoned.  


Here is a group of people who are dismantling a portion of their 50 year old church building and rebuilding on the same site a building that will house a community-service center, a shelter for homeless women and children and 50 units for those who are in need of low-income housing!


Imagine that...tearing down A church in order to build something that is THE church to the people, who God loves!  Wow!  What a great idea!!!!

(Drawing of final project from Times article)

And not only are they stepping out to do that, they are partnering with other organizations who are already involved in those areas of need and ministry to create the synergy to get it all done, and keep it all going!  Well done Mary's Place!  Well done Compass Housing Alliance!

YES!!!  Down are the walls of self-service, down are the walls of denominationalism and "it can't be done" attitudes.  This is Kimbilio at it's best; and it's something that a lot of people are desiring, and want to be a part of.

Well done Gethsemane Lutheran of Seattle!  Way to be a model of Christ for all of us!  I don't think it will take you long to raise the money for this...I'll be one of the first to give!

FEET & SHOES

Feet and shoes are really not very exciting subjects.  Especially feet.  And after years of playing sports, my feet are particularly nothing I want to talk about!  But I've found myself thinking a lot about Feet and Shoes recently.

I've been thinking a lot about feet because I have a son who is passionate about them.  Not in a weird way, but in a way that could possibly change the world.  

Stephen and James

Since Stephen was in Jr. High school God has given him a unquenchable desire to help kids in Africa.  First, as children, growing up in orphanages or slums without family.  Then the passion intensified as they grew into young men and women, leaving the orphanages or staying in the slums, many without solid life skills that would give them a chance at life.  Most were educated to some level, thanks to sponsors, but still a lot of them lacked the deeper life skills for moving beyond daily survival.

Photobucket.com

That's why the Two Feet Project is being born.  A non-profit organization my son is visioneering; (thanks Andy Stanley) which will take these young men and women and train them in daily living skills through the medium of sports and other interests.  It's a huge, God endeavor, but one that will be blessed as he uses his Two Feet to take the Good News to others so they can stand on their own Two Feet, next to the Two Feet of Jesus.   As it develops, you'll probably read more about it in this blog.  Well done, Stephen!

I've also been thinking of shoes because of a man by the name of Palmer Chinchen, a pastor in Chandler, Arizona who took a chance with his church in order to make a huge difference in the lives of many in Africa.

A year ago Palmer told his church to take off the shoes they wore to church, bring them and put them into bins on the stage.  Why?  To sacrifice them for people on the other side of the world who had no shoes, or means to get them!  Risky?  Yes!  Some might not come that Sunday!  Some might not participate!  Some may never come back!  Significant?  Yes!  Huge blessings because of the sacrifice?  Yes!!

Despite being the hottest day of the year, despite the parking lot being an inferno at over 110 degrees, despite being asked to remain shoeless the rest of that day, Palmer's church donated somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000 pairs of shoes!  And people in the community who heard about it, but didn't attend the church, also brought THEIR SHOES!!

You know what, they didn't need them; and it reminded each one about what they take for granted and what others lack in this world.  Well done, Palmer!

This coming Sunday is the second "Barefoot" Sunday for Palmer and his church.  I sent them a pair of new shoes from my closet...I didn't need them, and I know there is someone in Malawi with size 15 feet that will appreciate shoes that fit.

Maybe I'll use my bare two feet to go with my son and share the Good News with someone on that day!  Maybe I should do that everyday!  What a concept!  Why don't you do the same.

Two special men creating Kimbilio in this world.  I hope they inspire you to do the same!

A Humble Servant!
Greg

Reflections on an Anniversary!

September 16, 2002!  It was eight years ago today that I began my ministry here at CCC.  


Thinking back, I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing (Some might say that's still the case today--and in many ways, I would probably agree)!  But, eight years is a long time in today's world of ministry, and I'm humbled and honored to have served God in this way.  


Oh, it hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination!  In fact sometimes it just flat out sucks!!  Many times I feel like I'm spinning my spiritual wheels in thick mud; with no results to speak of.  But yet, there has been a mysterious fulfillment produced from those eight years!


I have to admit, sometimes I want to pack it all in (a few hours ago was the last time it happened.  That was a full 24 hours from the time before!).  


But then my unbelievable, patient wife helps me to remember:  CMIA, GCC Orphans, Lucy, Mike & Jenny, JMEN, my wife & sons, Sonny, Rachel and the girls, Pastor Gilbert in India, Foundations, Scott & Jessica, Megan, Lane & Diane, Brian and Charlene, Rob...and the list of people and places go on and on!  All experiencing change of some kind because of Christ using me---little ole me, who doesn't know what he's doing! (Thank you, Jean)


But while reflecting on this landmark day, I've come to realize that I DO know what I'm doing!  I'm being obedient to a call he placed on my life over 25 years ago.  It's that simple, and it's the reason He's using me to make a difference.  That and faith! 


I keep a saying in front of me daily that says "Faith is walking up to what you know...and taking one more step."  God has some great things in store in the next 25 years of my life.  Most will be challenging, some will be hilarious, all will be fulfilling; and all will be lived out by taking one more step in obedience!  Whenever!  Whatever!  Wherever!  Whoever!


My prayer is that you will reflect and then do the same! 


God, thanks for the memories; but tomorrow let's get busy!  There are so many...!  


A Humble Servant!
Greg