The Global Work of God

I’m at a conference for a few days called “Exponential” - which is mostly about church planting. At the same time I got the e-mail below from one of our girls, Mindy Jackson, who is working with the poor in Kenya. And I talked to my own daughter, Rachel, in England today.

The work of God really is “exponential.” Our friends from the northeast, who are helping us plant in Manhattan, NY, are here and we’re working on what Parkview will do in church planting there as we partner with another church to be exponential. Our lead Pastor from Kansas City is here and so grateful for what Parkview has done to help them get off the ground. He says it’s going fantastic. Our local church planting organization is here and the partner churches that we are going to work through to plant in the Loop.

It is amazing. One of the guys today said that China has seen Christianity go from 2 million believers to 120 million believers in just a few short years. Because Jesus said, “When I am lifted up – I will draw all men to me.” John 12:32

And our design builders are here who are helping us with our own project.

It does seem exponential. It feels to me like two things are happening.

1. Christians are getting less stupid. The people that are here are talking a lot about cultural relevance. These are church planters who are trying to figure out how to make things work in a culture that is no longer “judeo\christian.” We can gripe about it all we want, but we can’t keep doing church like Ozzie and Harriet are still living next door. These people get this. Rachel gets this in England as they go to pubs to reach the college students. In China – they don’t even have church buildings – it’s just a movement of cultural relevance.

Funny – kind of like Jesus. Did I ever tell you how much I loved the way Jesus did ministry?

2. The other thing that’s happening is that we are learning how to serve and love our communities again. That’s how Christianity got such an amazing start. The people could see our love. I think we are getting that again.

It’s no longer “Hey do you want to come and be in our club – and look like us,” now it’s “Hey how can we help you and show you how Jesus can help you.”

I like the new (old) way of doing church. I think it is THE most exciting time to be in ministry and I’m in THE most exciting place to do it. Everyone I talk to here is hearing about Parkview and the amazing work of God.

I just walk around and go “I know, I know – I’m having the time of my life.”

Tim

And it all overwhelms me.

From Mindy:

I know it’s been awhile since I have written. I've been very busy with preparing for camps and working with the youth. This past week we had a children's camp here for a week. We had about 100 kids come. It was so much fun being around all the kids and the kids enjoyed being able to come here.

During the camp I was in charge of crafts. It was a lot to get to know all the kids and watch them make the crafts. They really enjoyed them. We are now preparing for another camp that we will have here Thursday the 24- Saturday the 26 for 100 kids from the idp (internally displaced persons) camp. The kids there are really looking forward to coming.

I ask that you pray that we will be able to teach them about God and that they will be open to listening to what we are sharing. Well my time here is coming to an end. I have only week left. While I'm excited to come home and see everyone I'm also sad to have to say goodbye to all my friends here. I can't wait to share with all of you my experience here and all that God has taught. God has taught me so much about doing mission work and also about myself.

In His Hands
Mindy

P.S.

LOCKPORT GATHERING: The next monthly Lockport Gathering will be held on Saturday, May 3rd after the service, and it’s going to be a Pot Luck Dinner on the Patio! This gathering is for everyone interested in the launch of our Lockport Campus in the fall! So whether you’re already on board or would like to learn about this exciting new ministry, please join us for great food, some time to connect with one another, and a discussion of progress and next steps. For more info, check out the new Lockport Blog

Comments

[Lisa]

I love being a part of the new (old) way of doing church!!! We're getting there, we're getting there. PCC is definitely an exciting place to be a part of. Can't wait to see where He has us headed next :)

[Deb H.]

I'm having the time of my life serving at a great place like Parkview, helping others learn about Christ and all He can do for them... Go Parkview,