The Cross Chronicles

Media Bias Exposed

2012-01-09T21:10:00.001-06:00

Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulus hosted the Republican debate on ABC this past Saturday. They decided to dedicate a significant amount of time to the issues of contraception and homosexual marraige. As you might expect the liberal media enjoys taking air time to champion their agenda, but this time the candidates took the opportunity to expose a bigger issue.

Tim Tebow Fuels the Media

2011-12-17T15:05:00.001-06:00

For the past eight weeks, Tim Tebow has given NFL commentators, players, and analysts a lot to talk about. And as you might expect, much of it has come in the form of criticism regarding his expression of faith in Jesus Christ. However, despite comments from people like former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer wishing Tebow would "just shut up" and mockery from the Detroit Lions players who imitated Tebow's prayer pose, Tim Tebow continues to deliver a winning record and a winning character.

Highlighting that character and what Tim Tebow brings to the game and so much more, Bob Costas does right by offering this commentary last Sunday.

Planned Parenthood to Open in Schools Under ObamaCare

2011-11-16T12:50:00.001-06:00

ObamaCare is headed to the Supreme Court. Opponents argue the law mandates that individuals purchase a product from the government, which then places the government in control of Americans' health care decisions. Of greater concern is the expansion of abortion under the new law and the use of tax dollars to fund it.

Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, gives the following synopsis:

The threat of giving the abortion giant Planned Parenthood more access to our children and our tax dollars is very real. ObamaCare provides grants for establishing “School-based Health Centers” – health clinics in our schools run by private organizations, including Planned Parenthood.
While the law prevents these school-based clinics from being used to “provide” abortions, there is nothing in the law that prevents them from encouraging kids to seek an abortion at a Planned Parenthood facility. In fact, the law states that it is the purpose of these clinics to provide “counseling” and “referrals,” which could be for abortions and abortion-related services.

To make your voice heard (along with over 100 members of Congress) urging the Supreme Court to protect Americans' from this level of government control, sign the petition online.

Church Planting Movement Stirring in Europe?

2011-11-10T19:21:00.001-06:00

Tim Keller's first speaking engagement in Europe occurred at a gathering of nearly 500 leaders and church planters from 27 countries. The City to City Europe network hosted the event in Berlin.

Can You Experience Real Joy in Life's Deepest Sorrow?

2011-11-01T14:36:00.001-06:00

What if you lost something very dear to you? What if you lost someone very dear to you? How about your two-month-old child?

Brandon and Mandy Pelton share their story of living through the birth, life, and death of their son Jude. Jude passed after just 67 days on this little planet, leaving behind a broken body and broken parents who share a tremendous story of joy in one of life's darkest valleys.

Iranian Execution Now Reaches Highest Level

2011-10-10T12:58:00.001-06:00

The American Center for Law and Justice just released this latest report regarding the impending execution of Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Iran:

According to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's Iranian lawyer, the court delayed issuing a verdict and "has decided to ask the opinion of Mr. (Ali) Khamenei." Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is an Islamic jurist and the final arbiter of questions of Shariah law.

Now that Iran's Supreme Leader will be considering the case, it is imperative that our top diplomat, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, personally intervenes in working for Pastor Youcef's unconditional release.We are hand-delivering this petition to Secretary Clinton the moment the State Department opens its doors tomorrow morning.

It is not too late to add your name to the list of over 127,000 people who have already signed this petition online. Pastor Youcef's life hangs in the balance. Sign the petition at www.aclj.org.
Forgive the brevity. Sent via BlackBerry handheld.

Iran Readjusts to Execute Christian Pastor

2011-10-04T08:42:00.001-06:00

Faced with growing international pressure, Iran has made a political move to continue with the execution of a Christian Pastor first condemned for converting to Christianity from Islam. The American Center of Law and Justice has been working alongside attorneys for Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and released this statement yesterday:

The push by the Iranian government to execute a Christian pastor is accelerating. Iranian state news is spreading false reports that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was not convicted of converting from Islam to Christianity, but is instead charged with Zionism and security-related crimes – the worst possible charge that can be leveled against someone in Iran.

Our efforts are having a tremendous impact, as Iran is now feeling this international pressure to release Pastor Youcef. However, it is critical that Secretary of State Clinton – America’s top international diplomat – do more than just say she is “concerned” about this impending execution. She must immediately call on Iran for Pastor Youcef’s unconditional release.

You can sign a petition addressed to Secretary of State Clinton here.

Latest on Christian Pastor's Execution

2011-09-30T13:57:00.000-06:00

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) just released their latest update regarding the impending execution of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Iran. As you can see in the video, the ACLJ notes that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did release a one sentence statement but failed to call for the release of Nadarkhani. The United Nations continues to remain silent.

Christian Pastor Reaches Hour of Execution

2011-09-29T14:01:00.001-06:00

The White House finally released a statement condemning the conviction and possible execution of an Iranian pastor. In the statement, the White House called upon Iranian authorities to release Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, saying, "A decision to impose the death penalty would further demonstrate the Iranian authorities' utter disregard for religious freedom."

Although this sentence runs contrary to both Iranian and international laws, the 27th Branch of the Supreme Court in Qom has upheld the death penalty ruling. According to Amnesty International USA, an execution for apostasy has not occurred in Iran since 1990.

The American Center for Law and Justice has been actively involved in the case, urging members of the government to intervene. House Speaker John Boehner released a statement on Wednesday calling the case "distressing for people of every country and creed." The American Family Association has also called on its members to contact Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Please pray for Youcef and his family and an immediate acquittal in this case.

Loving Neighbors and Our New Neighborhood

2011-09-26T21:17:00.000-06:00

If only "loving your neighbor as yourself" were always this easy. Yesterday, some wonderful neighbors organized our first block "Meet and Eat", a progressive dinner of sorts where we visited 13 houses and had a wonderful time with new friends. A genius idea, the traveling party allowed for great interactions, the opportunity to visit almost every house on the street, and lots of good eatin'. When we leave this lovely neighborhood we'll be taking this idea with us.

One sweet neighbor even gave Jessi a quilt for our little girl, who's due any day now.

Ten Years Later: Unforgettable Footage From Inside the World Trade Center

2011-09-12T12:46:00.001-06:00

A lot of this footage I had never seen before. From inside the World Trade Center buildings, these filmmakers captured the unthinkable on September 11, 2001. The documentary first aired on CBS last night entitled, 9/11: Ten Years Later, revealed the chaos and the heroism displayed on that fateful day in mid-September.

Originally a documentary intended to chronicle a young man's journey through his probationary period of firefighting, these two filmmakers give us our best look into the gut-wrenching tragedy surrounding America's most deadly act of terrorism.

May God bless those who still mourn, and may He bring the wicked to justice.

Tim Keller and Redeemer Target Mexico City

2011-09-08T11:05:00.000-06:00

After two years of preparation, the largest metropolitan area in the Americas is home to a new church plant by Redeemer Presbyterian out of New York. You can read about Redeemer's new Mexico City church plant on their City to City Blog. The new church targets one of the city's trendiest neighborhoods, La Condesa.

Teenage Mayor Reelected

2011-08-28T20:54:00.000-06:00

Remember this national news story during the elections in 2008? John Hammons, 19 years old at the time, was elected as mayor of a town of 38,000: Muskogee, OK. Most people probably dismissed it as a fluke, even though he won in a landslide victory. I thought I'd check in on the young mayor. Looks like he has at least proven his mettle to his townspeople, clinching a second term with another big win.

Christianity Doom and Gloom Reports Face Criticism

2011-08-28T20:06:00.000-06:00

Barna Research Group often delivers some shocking statistics regarding the state of Christianity in the U.S. Directors of Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion, Rodney Stark and Byron Johnson, have less than glowing comments regarding their methodology in their newly released article:

The national news media yawned over the Baylor Survey's findings that the number of American atheists has remained steady at 4% since 1944, and that church membership has reached an all-time high. But when a study by the Barna Research Group claimed that young people under 30 are deserting the church in droves, it made headlines and newscasts across the nation—even though it was a false alarm.

Surveys always find that younger people are less likely to attend church, yet this has never resulted in the decline of the churches. It merely reflects the fact that, having left home, many single young adults choose to sleep in on Sunday mornings.

Once they marry, though, and especially once they have children, their attendance rates recover. Unfortunately, because the press tends not to publicize this correction, many church leaders continue unnecessarily fretting about regaining the lost young people.

In similar fashion, major media hailed another Barna report that young evangelicals are increasingly embracing liberal politics. But only religious periodicals carried the news that national surveys offer no support for this claim, and that younger evangelicals actually remain as conservative as their parents.

Given this track record, it was no surprise this month to see the prominent headlines announcing another finding from Barna that American women are rapidly falling away from religion. The basis for this was a comparison between a poll they conducted in 1991 and one they conducted in January of this year.

The reporters who ran with this story ought to have wondered why this change wasn't picked up sooner if it was going on for 20 years. Many national surveys have been conducted during this period—in fact the Barna Group has been doing them all along. Did the organization check to see if its new results were consistent with its own previous data or with the many other national surveys widely available? There is no sign that it did. If it had, it would have found that its findings about women are as unfounded as previous claims about young people deserting the church and young evangelicals becoming liberals.

FOX Interview on Campus Crusade Name Change

2011-07-24T19:48:00.000-06:00

One additional resource for those of you wanting more information about Campus Crusade for Christ's change to Cru: Steve Sellers interview with FOX and Friends.

Francis Chan Cautions Campus Crusade for Christ

2011-07-24T17:35:00.000-06:00

Yesterday my wife and I made the short drive from Denver to Fort Collins to visit friends of Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru) at their biannual staff conference. Since 2001, I have never missed a staff conference and deeply enjoy the rich times with friends in an environment designed to lift up Christ. With the surprising swirl of media attention given to their recent announcement of a name change, I wasn't sure I would find the same atmosphere.

In my previous post, I mentioned I'd share my thoughts on the name switch. I won't add much to the enticing controversy since I think the change is a good one. Unfortunately, the media loves controversy, so they focus on the disappearance of "Christ" from the name. Even my wife's grandmother gasped, "Did you know Campus Crusade for Christ took Christ out of their name?!" The issue seems somewhat humorous given that most churches don't use Christ in their name. Suffice it to say that the moment Cru loses their deeply held commitment to sharing the clear message of Jesus Christ with the world, they will be holding their staff conference in the coffee shop rather than in the basketball arena. After the announcement of Cru Global, Steve Sellers, VP of the Americas, held several more Q&A times to reassure the staff of that commitment and all that goes with it.

However, the morning before Sellers introduced Cru to the world, author and speaker Francis Chan spoke to the 5,000 staff gathered in Moby Arena. Midway through his talk, he broke from his planned message to share Revelation 3:1, a verse impressed upon his heart during his time of preparation: "These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." In an attitude of great humility, Chan challenged the missionaries toward personal holiness and a genuine love for Jesus.

In an interview backstage immediately afterward, Chan had this remark when asked what he would say to Campus Crusade moving forward:

"It's kind of hard to say this because I don't know that I've ever said this to a group. If I'm perfectly honest, I feel like the Lord really took me to the passage I went to because...there's so much more for Campus Crusade and for these people and their walk with the Lord. And I think that some of them have gotten caught up in a routine or position or just the way we've always done things. I'm not confident that they're really hearing from the Lord and willing to believe Him in this. And some of them are just hiding behind a movement that has a rich history, and by just being a part they can feel like they're doing the will of God, rather than really seeking their own personal calling before God."

Campus Crusade Loses Christ?

2011-07-23T08:51:00.000-06:00

The web has been buzzing with the news of Campus Crusade for Christ's name change. Despite a clear explanation of the reasoning behind the change, many evangelicals criticized the organization for "caving to cultural pressure and political correctness".

Having served with the organization from 2003 - 2009, I have thoughts on the name change. But before I share mine, I'll let you hear the reasoning behind the leadership's decision, lest you unwittingly jump to an uninformed conclusion.

Campus Crusade for Christ Changes Name

2011-07-19T19:41:00.000-06:00

Just a few seconds ago the 60-year-old ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ officially changed their name. Steve Sellers, Vice President of the Americas, made the announcement to 5,000 staff gathered in Fort Collins, CO for the biannual staff conference. Some feel this is "the most significant decision they've ever made". Starting in 2012, Campus Crusade for Christ will be known as Cru in the United States of America and Cru Global will serve as the name of the umbrella organization around the world.

Redeemer City to City

2010-12-27T12:34:00.000-06:00

Are you exploring ways to create Gospel movements in your city? Tim Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian offer one good option.

Redeemer City to City from Redeemer City to City on Vimeo.

We're exploring ways to lock arms with like-minded folks in Denver. We live in the most densely populated area of the city but have noticed little interaction between neighbors. How can we help people experience Jesus and community?

Know Your Deepest Opposition

2010-11-09T21:47:00.000-06:00

Heard this letter from John Eldredge of Ransomed Heart this past Sunday. Thought I would share it with you. It's a tad long, but don't give up until you reach the crux about 3/4 through it.

September 2010

Dear Friends of Ransomed Heart,

I just had a pretty remarkable conversation with Jesus, around a very disappointing event, the fruit of which is so important I wanted to share it with you.

First, some back story, I've been an elk hunter for fifteen years. (This is not a hunting story ladies, so hang with me.) Over the course of those years I've had so many phenomenal disappointments, you'd wonder why in the world I keep at it. But hey, I'm not alone in that. Golfers do this. And people who date. Diet. Invest money. Lead a church. Heck, we all have arenas where we experience more setback and disappointment than we do triumph. That's why this story is so important.

Last weekend I was out in the woods, bow hunting but mostly just hanging out with God, and I thought my day had finally come. After fifteen years, I was going to get the Big One. An enormous bull elk appeared 150 yards away from me on a mountain I knew no one else was hunting. I wasn't even looking for him. The opportunity came so serendipitously, I thought it was God for sure. My years of waiting were over. This was going to redeem everything.

I prayed. Hard. I did it all right. I even thought I was following that inner voice of the Holy Spirit as carefully as I could. Did I mention I was praying hard?

The bull vanished. For no reason whatsoever. Vanished. Gone. I was... heartbroken.

Now, the enemy was all over this is about six seconds. Disappointment rushes in and feelings of not again... not again. That old fatherless thing jumps in, that feeling like if anything good is going to happen you've got to make it happen and it makes you feel so alone. Doubts rush in about hearing the voice of God, which are about the worst doubts there are because it draws your whole relationship into question. A whole garbage truck gets dumped on me. I had to pray a long time on the way home just to get it off, and get back to myself and my true relationship with God.

Not for the huge part of the story. This isn't about elk hunting. This is about some core assumptions we make about the world.

I could tell disappointment was still holding on between me and God this week, because a friend asked me to pray for him and I couldn't bring myself to do it. I mean, why pray... it doesn't really help. Which I don't really believe, but it showed me my heart was still hurt and under a cloud and I needed to sort things out. I grabbed my journal, went on the porch during lunch, and began to pray/have a conversation with Jesus. It went like this...

Jesus, I love you. Help me with this. Interpret this for me. [It is SO important we ask God to interpret stuff for us.]

You felt hurt by this.

Yes, I was. I really hopes that finally, finally, it would all come together. I thought it was going to be a beautiful climax to a great week. It hurts to feel like you don't care.

You blame me.

Hmmm. Well, yes, I did. I mean, I prayed hard, over something that seems pretty "C" level in the world of prayer, and it doesn't happen.

Go on.

Well, I thought you were in it. I thought I was following your voice.

What is the pain?

Well... it hurts to feel like you don't care, like you aren't even listening. It hurts also to think I wasn't hearing from you.

Every joy is deeply opposed.

Wait. What? It is? Really? Every joy is deeply opposed? [This is when the epiphany begins.] That changes my perspective on everything. I mean, if that's true, then You are doing so much, for all the joy we do receive. And, we are being so naive when we see joy as something that ought to come pretty easily. Like, its not really central to what's going on. Not a major point but kind of a sideshow, so it shouldn't be so hard. [Don't you fell that way about joy? Isn't this how you feel about finding someone or getting a job or just having a good weekend?] But then it is hard, and it doesn't happen, and that raises all sorts of questions, especially about You, God.

Whoa. [I am not sitting back in my chair, talking to myself.] This is huuuuuuge.

Think about it, friends - what are the assumptions you are making about joy, and unanswered prayer, and God's heart towards you? Do you see joy as central to this Story, absolutely central, and therefore deeply opposed in your life - not by God, but by your enemy? Do you see how disappointment, wrongly interpreted, clouds your relationship with God? Lets in a sense of betrayal? Do you see how believing otherwise would change so much of your perspective?

Dear friends, joy is central and joy is opposed.

If your world view does not hold this at its core, you will come to some terrible conclusions about life, and the heart of God, and "what He allows," and prayer, and how much you matter to Him, and a host of other things. Ask Jesus.

How Leaders Inspire Action

2010-10-18T07:16:00.000-06:00

What drives people to move toward a goal with dynamic determination? Simon Sinek gives a truly insightful look into the driving force that moves people to action.

Derek Sivers on How to Start a Movement

2010-10-14T22:14:00.000-06:00

So...I've been absent, but I haven't disappeared. My apologies for the long delay in posting. Now that my wife and I have settled into a new home, life has slowed a bit and I can return to some of the things I love...namely, exchanging ideas with all of you and talking about movements. So, here's a nice short video from Derek Sivers' perspective:

Back on Top with Billions

2010-03-11T22:33:00.004-06:00

No...not me. For the first time since 1994, a non-American has topped Forbes list of richest people in the world. And where does he hail from? Not from an oil-rich Middle Eastern state or a burgeoning Asian economy like you might expect. He lives just south of the border in my former home of Mexico City.

Is this a sign of the times and the blossoming economy of Mexico? Unfortunately, the hard numbers tell a different story. As you can see in the video, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim claims Mexico will reach a developed nation status in 10 years. That's a nice idea, but with men like Slim who possess near monopolies in a country that still has nearly half of its population living in poverty, that would be a pretty big jump.

Brit Hume Shares About Christ on FOX

2010-01-11T12:26:00.002-06:00

Wow. I want to say I'm shocked by the way Brit Hume spoke so openly about Jesus on the air, but "shocked" just isn't the right word. My feelings fall somewhere between pleasantly surprised and deeply satisfied. How wonderful to hear a man of influence in the public eye speak so clearly and simply about the redemption that comes through Christ and for no profit of his own.

American Family Association has a form for you to send Brit a personal note of encouragement.

The Call to Collaboration

2009-10-25T13:20:00.007-06:00

Several years ago, while serving as the co-director for Enfoque México, I learned many life-shaping lessons in the world of partnering. Some of them marked my life with great joy and others brought a good deal of pain. But through these learning experiences and the wise counsel of wonderful friends, the Lord impressed an important truth upon my heart: The Gospel will only achieve fruition through partnering and collaboration among believers. This is, very simply, the body of Christ in action.

Two wise friends, Eric Swanson and Sam Williams, were the first to bring my attention to the significance of Jesus' prayer for all believers in John 17:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. [italics mine]

Hundreds of times I've read these verses and still never caught it. Through my Western cultural lenses I would think, "Wouldn't that be nice if we could all be unified." But here, Jesus doesn't give us that luxury of thought. His prayer effectively hinges global evangelization on one thing: The unity of believers.

How should we respond to Christ's prayer? We would all agree that unity is a noble goal and should be pursued, even at great cost. But let's be honest. The realist in all of us finds the thought boring, an inhibitor to creativity and rapid expansion, an unnecessary burden, or some combination thereof. But how should the great importance Jesus places on unity translate into our modern world?

Obama Administration Wages New War

2009-10-25T09:22:00.004-06:00

Let me begin with a preface. While I do my best to stay clear of politics on this blog, I do, from time to time, find it worthwhile to respond to something in the media or politics. And after a week of very candid efforts by the White House to censor the freedom of the press, I consider it not only worthwhile but of grave importance to draw attention to a few of Barack Hussein Obama's positions on Americans' constitutional freedoms.

You may know about President Obama's comments on NBC, where he alludes to Fox News as "a talk-radio format". And, as an American citizen, he certainly has the right to his opinion. You may also know about the recent attempt of the White House to exclude Fox News from interviews with executive pay-czar Kenneth Feinberg. That's crossing a line. And the other news networks felt the same way.

But what I find even more troubling, are the people Obama surrounds himself with. Glenn Beck, an admitted conservative analyst, does a fine job connecting the dots.

At this point, I don't consider it a stretch to say that we should have given a little more consideration to Obama's friendships with people like left wing radical and domestic terrorist Bill Ayers.

Annapolis Missional Community Plant

2009-09-16T15:17:00.003-06:00

For the past several weekends, I've made my home with the Pastermack's, a wonderful couple about my age in Annapolis, MD. They're doing something that I've only dreampt about. They own a very popular ice cream shop on Main Street, live right above it, and have a church that meets in their home, not to mention that every weekend night you can walk upstairs and find anywhere from 5 to 15 people having real conversations in their living room. Now that's fun!

Initiated by the big suburban Bay Area Community Church, this new missional community is committed to reaching downtown Annapolis. Squeezing 50 people into the living room on Sundays takes some imagination, and so does reaching the very different people groups downtown. I love that the mothership has given this core group permission to plant simple missional churches. They're laboring and struggling to figure out what it looks like, but the core remains the same - loving Jesus, loving one another, and loving those outside their little fellowship.

It's refreshing to see a church blessing and empowering its apostolic members. It will be fun to continue to watch this hybrid network of big church and simple church unfold. They're providing a model other megachurches would do well to learn from.

You Made Us Jump - Big Time!

2009-09-11T14:29:00.004-06:00

You guys are amazing. When I posted about the honeymoon giveaway yesterday, we had under 40 comments on our story (which put us in about 15th place on the website). By the end of the day we jumped to well over 100, and now we're in 3rd place in comments with 182! Not bad out of 1600 stories.

Well, the judges will choose the top 5 stories in just four days. Should we make it, that's when it really counts because the story with the most votes wins the grand prize honeymoon!

Honeymoon Giveaway

2009-09-09T12:36:00.003-06:00

Wouldn't it be sweet to win a honeymoon prize package to Mexico valued at over $8,000? We think so. That's why I'd like to ask you to take 30 seconds and leave a comment on our story! Seriously, we've got a shot at this. (You can also read the really short version of our story. Yeehaw!)

Characteristics of Dynamic Movements

2009-08-18T08:47:00.002-06:00

Ed Stetzer posted a good interview with Steve Addison, director of Church Resource Ministries (CRM) Australia and author Movements that Change the World. I've posted Steve's answer to what characterizes dynamic movements below:

The five characteristics are: white-hot faith, commitment to a cause, contagious relationships, rapid mobilization and adaptive methods.

White-hot faith is the engine room of a dynamic movement. The apostle Paul was not converted by clever arguments but through a powerful encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road. We would not have had the Reformation without Martin Luther's struggle with the question of, "How can a holy God forgive a sinner like me?"

The secret of Jesus' life and ministry was his relationship of loving obedience to the Father and dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit. He drew his disciples into the same relationship and sent them out with no other resources.

A white-hot faith provides the motivation, energy and legitimacy to go change the world.

Next is commitment to a cause. For good or for evil, history is made by people committed to a common purpose. Nothing changes unless people care deeply and are willing take action. Jesus had high expectations of his followers. So high, that some of them walked away.

John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist movement. On one occasion he visited Bristol. When he arrived there were 900 people in the local Society. When he left 143 of them had been removed for various reasons: among them wife-beating, smuggling, and drunkenness. Wesley led a disciplined movement that changed the world.

The third characteristic of movements is contagious relationships. We are all just six handshakes away from everyone on the planet. Ideas, like viruses, spread from person to person and from group to group. In the age of the internet, contagious relationships are still the most important form of communication.

The most responsive people to the gospel are those who have recently seen someone in their world come to faith.

Whenever we see the Christian faith expanding exponentially, it's traveling across networks of preexisting relationships. We tend to focus on building quality relationships with a few. Jesus focused on connecting broadly and then through one responsive person, reaching households and villages. That's how we see the gospel spreading in Acts.

The fourth characteristic is rapid mobilization. Movements don't abolish the clergy, they just ordain everyone for ministry. What did Jesus do? He went after ordinary people and trained them on-the-job. His lecture on the nature of faith was conducted on a sinking boat in the midst of a storm. There was theological content integrated with life and ministry. Jesus grew leaders and released them to go and change the world.

You don't get dramatic expansion of a movement if everyone is a paid professional. If anyone is paid, they are paid to pioneer new fields and mobilize others. Whether they are in New York or New Delhi, that's what missionaries do.

The last characteristic is adaptive methods. The best illustration of an adaptive method I can think of is the game of soccer. Soccer is the world's game played by hundreds of millions and watched by billions. Why? I think it's because you can drop a ball at the feet of a three year old and she can start playing. It may take a lifetime of practice to master the game, but only an instant to begin enjoying it. Try doing that with American or Australian football.

Adaptive methods are simple, flexible and transferable. That's one reason why Jesus taught by telling stories. A good story, like the prodigal son, can be told by anyone to anyone, even across the boundaries of culture and time.

Movements are unchanging when it comes to their core message and beliefs. At the same time they are willing to change everything else to get that message out and get the job done. Unfortunately we have churches that are unwilling to change their methods, but quite happy to change the heart of the gospel. They have the worst of both worlds and the fruit is clear to see.

Where are the current examples of dynamic movements today?

The exciting news is they are mostly in the developing world--Africa, Asia, Latin America. These are also the regions of greatest population growth. Today, over 90% of new Christians will come from these regions. Expect that trend to continue.

In the US I've been encouraged by leaders such as Neil Cole, Bob Roberts, Ralph Moore, Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, and Jimmy Seibert who emphasize multiplication of disciples, workers and churches rather than just growth. A growing band of leaders are seeing the church as a movement.

The whole missional/emerging discussion has helped unfreeze us all in our understanding of church. If that is combined with a commitment to the Gospel and a passion to multiply disciples it could be quite fruitful.

The Engagement Story (E Day, Phase 5: The Celebration)

2009-08-11T08:11:00.005-06:00

After the excitement of the proposal, we proceeded back to the limo. Jessi made sure to show off her ring to the driver. Thankfully, though we had never looked at rings or even spoke about them, Jessi absolutely loved hers. What a blessing for me to see her exhilaration!

With the surprise almost fully complete, we drove back to the restaurant for our private dinner. After enjoying the meal and a few more pictures, our wonderful photographer Sarah headed home, and I set the stage for one last surprise.

I convinced Jessi that our ride had come to pick us up, so we scurried out the door after thanking Stephanie, the Operations Manager, for playing a pivotal role in our fun evening. We passed in front of the gelato store next door and Jessi’s eye caught a few friends inside. By now she was prepared for all my charades, so she knew right away that I had asked a group of our friends to come and celebrate with us.

While the ladies encircled Jessi to relive the evening, I summarized it for the guys. With the last hoorah out of the way, exhaustion set in. I felt like I had just completed a 4-hour workout, but what a joy to experience it all!

Thanks for the dozens of comments on Facebook and Twitter and for joining in our happiness!

Return to Phase 4 (The Proposal), Phase 3 (The Day), Phase 2 (The Win), or Phase 1 (The Registration).

The Engagement Story (E Day, Phase 4: The Proposal)

2009-08-10T08:42:00.005-06:00

Forgive me for leaving you hangin’ on the last post! We left the story in the back of the limousine on the romantic evening Jessi thought she had won. I assumed she had no clue that I might have had a hand in rigging the whole thing. The truth was about to come out.

We had spoken the day before about her uneasiness taking pictures while we were just dating. We talked through the issue then, but I could see it hadn’t been completely resolved. It didn’t help the matter when during one of our stops a young woman asked if we were taking engagement pictures. Yikes! I kind of chuckled given what was coming, but I knew Jessi wasn’t doing well. So I asked her to open up with me when we climbed back into the limo.

After finally relenting, she shared the hidden story from the past few days. Some of her friends had become suspicious of this romantic “giveaway”, so they took it upon themselves to give the matter a closer look. They examined the email I had sent Jessi along with the registration site. They even looked up the phone number of the Bisetti’s manager who had called to ensure she was from Colorado. The kicker is, after their investigation, they came to the conclusion that the prize was indeed legitimate! Their suggestion that I might try to pull of an engagement like this was flattering to me but hard for Jessi because she allowed herself to dream for a moment. But after getting her hopes up by the idea, she had to resign herself to an evening of pictures and dinner with no proposal (wink).

With my new knowledge of the situation, I decided to call an audible. I had planned to propose at dinner but now found it more advantageous to propose while taking pictures in the foothills. Better to celebrate the rest of the night than try to change her emotional state. After all, who could beat the beauty of the Rocky Mountains at sunset!

I carefully tipped off the photographer and limo driver of the change in plans. They searched for the perfect spot and waited for the sun to drop just below the mountains for the perfect lighting. At the next stop I brought along the little pink bag with the ring inside. Fortuitously, two weeks earlier I had purchased Jessi earrings that came in a little black box which I placed in the same little pink bag. We decided to exchange the black pearls for white, so she assumed the bag carried her new earrings. Of course, I had explained to her earlier that I would give her the earrings during her special night.

We walked toward the beautiful lake, and Jessi took her place on a big rock. But prior to receiving her earrings, I wanted to read a poem. I had written the first half of it after waking up in the middle of the night thinking about her, even before we started officially dating. The second half I had composed just prior to coming to Colorado.

As I neared the end of the poem, I pulled the little black box from the bag. She giggled with delight and said, “My earrings!” I smiled and replied, “Before you get your earrings, I have one more line to the poem.” At this point I struggled to keep my composure. Early on in our relationship we both agreed we would reserve the word “love” for a true commitment. I would never say it until I had a ring on her finger.

As I read those last three words, “I love you,” she struggled to figure out what was happening. By the time I had finished saying her full name, she was in tears. The game was up. I opened the box, took a knee, and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me. I’m sure she had no idea what exactly I asked, but through her tears, she exclaimed, “YES!!!”

Click her to view pictures of the moment.

View Phase 5.

Return to Phase 3, Phase 2, or Phase 1.

The Engagement Story (E Day, Phase 3: The Day)

2009-08-06T13:35:00.006-06:00

The fun only increased during the week as Jessi told almost everyone she knew about the amazing prize she’d won. And, of course, I encouraged all of my friends to ask her about it too (so sly). I just loved seeing her excitement as she recounted the story in disbelief.

When the day of the event actually arrived, I awoke at 5:00 a.m. preoccupied with the details of the day. I still had to pay the limousine company, coordinate pickup with the photographer, and invite people to the after party. And Jessi couldn’t know about any of it.

I met Jessi at the conference at 9:00 and hung around through lunch. Right after that I bolted for the limo company. I spoke with the driver to explain the setup for the evening. He needed to know the flow and how to work with the photographer. I then called the photographer to let her know where to meet the driver prior to them picking us up. With that done, I headed back to change clothes and get everything ready. Time was getting tight, and my head hurt from scrutinizing every minutiae of the plan. My main concern laid with keeping the proposal a surprise and praying Jessi would feel incredibly special during the night.

A few months ago, Jessi had mentioned she would like me to speak with her friends if I ever planned on proposing. I knew that tipping them off too early would risk spoiling any surprise (no offense ladies). So, one hour before we jumped in the limo, I started calling like crazy. I also called some of our friends at the conference and told them about the proposal and after party. The plan was now in full swing.

Jessi and I hopped in the limo right at 6:00, and away we went. In the back of a luxurious vehicle with a gorgeous woman on our way to shoot some fun photos, I couldn’t have been better. So far, I thought Jessi had never even entertained the notion that I might be behind this whole ordeal. I was about to learn otherwise.

Click here to view Phase 4.

Return to Phase 2 or Phase 1.

The Engagement Story (E Day, Phase 2: The Win)

2009-08-04T17:18:00.003-06:00

It was one thing to manufacture an email about a giveaway but quite another to coordinate how she would win. To prevent any cracks in the credibility of the story I decided to invite the restaurant’s management in on the gig. Stephanie, the Operations Manager, agreed to play the role of the prize patrol.

I first made contact with Stephanie one month prior to lay out the plan. After numerous conversations (she was super helpful and really sweet), she was prepared to call Jessi on Monday to deliver the exciting news.

At the time, Jessi was traveling by car from Minnesota to Colorado with some friends. Spotty cell phone service prevented Stephanie from speaking directly with her that afternoon, so she left a message instead, revealing only that she had good news. Jessi sent me a text message an hour later saying, “I think I won the dinner at that Italian restaurant!!!!”

I was on the edge of my seat and tried to measure my excitement with hers when I replied. I gently encouraged her to call back. Later that evening she spoke with Stephanie and relayed the drama to me. Indeed she had won! I put extra effort into sounding gleefully surprised. But I had to suppress genuine surprise when she herself recommended Thursday for the evening affair (I already had everything set up for that very day.) I paused as if to think for a moment and promptly agreed. Phase 2…a resounding success!

Click here to view Phase 3.

Return to Phase 1.

The Engagement Story (E Day, Phase 1: Registration)

2009-08-02T14:40:00.007-06:00

Operation “E Day”

The Vision: One evening that would capture her heart forever and let her know how incredibly special she is.

The Mission: Create the perfect plan to shock her socks off and leave her head reeling in delight.

Introduction and Background: Jessi and I met two years ago in Fort Collins, CO at the Campus Crusade for Christ staff conference. We reconnected last fall over Facebook and began communicating daily. We have been dating "officially" since January 2nd of this year, at which time I flew up to her home state of Minnesota to make my intentions clear. She agreed to hold my hand as I went through vigorous training to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Neither one of us knew the challenges nor the joy that laid ahead.

Over the course of the next seven months we shared our lives through constant letters, packages, phone calls, text messages, emails, and numerous visits halfway across the country. As we both sought the Lord daily and deepened our relationship, I came to the realization that I didn't want to spend another day apart from this wonderful woman. And so enters the story you're about to read.

Two months of planning and scheming would come to fruition over the course of one week. The main effort of the operation, to include the proposal, would occur on Thursday, July 23rd. Phase 1 began the previous Friday.

Registration

Having registered for the VIP Club on Bisetti's Ristorante website, I received a confirmation email from the family-owned Colorado business. With the utmost attention to detail, I manipulated their email to announce a “30th Anniversary Giveaway”. This newly crafted prize package would include a limousine ride around Fort Collins, CO, a professional photographer to capture the memories, and a romantic dinner in the exclusive “cubby” for two at the restaurant.

Satisfied with my fabrication, I forwarded the email to Jessi with the subtle suggestion that she register. To ensure my appearance of innocence, I emailed a link for a legitimate offer from another Fort Collins restaurant.

Inside the forwarded email I inserted a link to a simple registration page I had created. In order to make the site look authentic, I borrowed the logo from the restaurant and dropped it in. I also created a whole new account using their name to lend more credibility to the deal. The registration system emailed me as soon as she took the bait and registered. Phase 1 complete!

Click here to view Phase 2.

Acknowledgement: The idea that would evolve into “E Day” originated from another love struck Campus Crusade for Christ staff member. Oscar Avalos had his girlfriend believing she had won a dinner for two at the Cheesecake Factory in Denver, CO. He treated her to her “free” dinner and then popped the question in a great spot not far from the restaurant. I just took Oscar’s ingenious plan and expounded upon it.

She Said, "YES!"

2009-08-01T14:08:00.007-06:00

And that's what made it a magical evening! Of course, I like to think that planning the fake giveaway complete with a limousine ride, personal photographer, and a romantic private dinner for two didn't hurt any either. (She makes surprises so much fun!)

Just over a week ago (I know...I've been kicking myself for not posting this earlier), Jessi Frascht made me the most blessed man on the planet. Coming soon...all the juicy details of our engagement story (it really is juicy) and more about this amazing woman that I will soon call my wife.

Catching all those garters over the years is finally paying off.

Read the story here.

Tim Keller at Campus Crusade Staff Conference

2009-07-23T09:38:00.002-06:00

I'm working the live connection desk at the Campus Crusade for Christ staff conference this morning for part 2 of Tim Keller's talk on the Gospel. The best place to get all the good soundbites is on my twitter site at www.twitter.com/crosschronicles or at the CSU Twub. You can read thoughts from Tim Keller and Steve Sellers posted yesterday.

One Million People Come to Christ in June

2009-07-20T08:16:00.004-06:00

Crosswalk.com reports for the first time, Global Media Outreach (GMO) saw over 1 million people indicate decisions for Jesus Christ in one month. In June, 1,030,581 people indicated either a first-time decision to follow Jesus or a decision to recommit their life to Christ through one of more than 90 GMO Gospel Web sites. The five-year-old media arm of Campus Crusade for Christ also received and responded to more than 180,000 people who e-mailed the ministry asking for discipleship. “This is an historic event only possible by God’s power,” said Walt Wilson, GMO founder and chair. “Over the past few months, we have seen an increasing number of people come to our evangelistic web and mobile sites.”

Want a Break From Church?

2009-07-13T16:52:00.005-06:00

That's the number one reason young people leave the church according to the most recent study done by LifeWay. The question is, what about church makes students and young adults want to take a break?

4 Lessons on Leadership Influence

2009-07-11T14:09:00.004-06:00

Fiiiiiinally, I'm starting to catch up on my blog reading. Months of intense Marine Corps training has slowed enough to allow me to catch my breath. I just read through some of Jay Lorenzen's posts. He posted this gem of an article from Business Week:

From his study of 1000 leaders in 50 global organizations, Joseph Grenny offered the following insights to help explain why so few leaders either grasp or exert influence well:

1. Leaders act as if it’s not their job to address entrenched habits.

Most leaders put a great deal of time into crafting strategy, selecting winning products, and engaging with analysts, shareholders, and major customers.

But few realize the success or failure of their grand schemes lies in influencing the behavior of the hundreds or thousands of people who will have to execute the big ideas—their employees.

The most influential leaders—the 5% who succeed consistently at influencing profound and essential behavior change—spend as much as half of their time thinking about and actively influencing the behaviors they know will lead to top performance.

The 95% who dither and fail tend to delegate what they dismiss as “change management” to others, most often leaders in human resources—who often lack the credibility to influence real change.

The average leader spends little, if any, of his or her time on active efforts to create behavior change. Consequently, nothing changes.

2. Leaders lack a theory of influence.

Very few leaders can even answer the question, “How do you change the behavior of a large group of people?” And yet, this is what they’re ultimately paid to do. It isn’t just about making a decision; it’s about getting people aligned to execute the decision. And this means influence.

Imagine discovering just as the anesthesia is taking effect that your heart surgeon—the one hovering over your chest with a scalpel—is working off a “gut hunch” about how to conduct a bypass.

Unless leaders become articulate about a repeatable and effective way of influencing profound, rapid, and sustainable behavior change—they’ll continue to rack up predictably high failure rates at leading change.

3. Leaders confuse talking with influencing.

Many leaders think influence consists of little more than talking people into doing things. It’s no wonder most influence efforts start with PowerPoint presentations. But profound, persistent, and overwhelming problems demand more than verbal persuasion. Anyone who’s ever tried to talk a smoker into quitting knows there’s a lot more to behavior change than words.

Leaders make the same mistake when they publish platitudes in the form of Mission and Values statements, give a few speeches on why these values are crucial, and then assume their job is done.

4. Leaders believe in silver bullets.

When leaders actually attempt to influence new behavior, it’s common for them to look for quick fixes—to fall into the trap of thinking that deeply ingrained bad habits can be changed with a single technique. The failure mode is to rely on any single approach.

Some host star-studded retreats. Others hand out inspiring posters and color-changing mugs and think people will line up for change. Still others believe it’s all about incentives, and so they tinker with the performance-management system or tie new behaviors to executive bonuses. The research shows that when leaders rely on just one simple source of influence to drive change, they almost always fail

What we’ve learned is that when you know what you’re doing, change can happen relatively quickly. And it all starts with gaining greater clarity about what leadership really means, then finding a way of thinking about the fundamental principles of influence.

Ed Stetzer on Current Church Trends and Issues

2009-07-09T09:04:00.002-06:00

Good interview on Ed Stetzer's blog. Speaking with the lead pastor of The Journey in St. Louis, Darrin Patrick, Ed hits on some great topics. Of particular interest to me is how he addresses the kingdom and the different levels of partnership between churches and other organizations. I'd love to hear any other thoughts!

The Story of Stuff

2009-07-08T09:09:00.002-06:00

Fascinating and creative look at how our consumer society contributes to the destruction of our planet and our own bodies: http://www.storyofstuff.com.

They talk about perceived obsolescence in the video. How true it is. All the messages we receive from fashion, pop culture, the media and marketing campaigns let us know how much we suck by not having the latest and greatest gadget. Coming back to the U.S. from Mexico City I was shocked by how many people were carrying iPhones. Despite all the talk of a desperate economy and trying times, I didn't see any tangible evidence that people were changing their consumer habits.

I was just receiving flack this morning from some fellow officers for drinking from an empty organic peanut butter jar in my room. In fact, I reuse all the glass bottles from salsa and peanut butter for storage. That allows me to store food safely without having to throw those out and buy other products. I find that to be resourceful, but that doesn't seem to be the sentiment of most Americans today.

Now, I'm far from perfect in my consumption habits, but I'm committed to playing a role in reviving our planet and a way of life that doesn't feed the monster. And unfortunately, I believe these habits flow from a more systemic problem that we might find in front of a mirror.

Twitter Stats & The 'Magic' Number for Community

2009-07-07T08:01:00.002-06:00

Just came across this comprehensive report and summary of some Twitter statistics. Check out the following stat:

150 followers is the magic number. In a particularly interesting data point from the survey, Sysomos found that Twitter users tended to "follow back" all their followers up until about 150 connections. Then the reciprocation rate fell off dramatically, which seems to indicate that this number may be the crossover point where people shift from using Twitter for more personal use to using it more for "lifecasting" their thoughts and actions to a community of people who they feel varying levels of connection to.

What's interesting is not the statistic itself but what it tells us about community. Dunbar's number, the theoretical limit to the number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships, is also set at 150. Pastors and church-planters often talk about the '200 ceiling', a typical peak in church attendance.

How could these numbers inform us about authentic and sustainable community?

Documenting Social Injustice

2009-06-26T11:56:00.002-06:00

As much as I'm saddened by the sudden departure of the King of Pop (really, I am), I'm much more impacted by the continuing social injustice around the world. The 700 Club just ran this story of some young women and their documentation of the crisis through Youth with a Mission.

More Pubs, Happier People?

2009-06-23T15:23:00.003-06:00

I just thought I'd repost this article from behavioral scientist Daniel Goleman's blog. What do you think?

A recent comparison of the mental and physical health of Americans and Britons raises some intriguing questions. Consider these data points:
Americans spend 2.5 more on health care than do Brits – yet have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, and cancer.
The richest, healthiest Americans are as sick as the poorest Brits.
Americans work far longer than Brits (and other Europeans), and are more likely to hold two jobs – virtually unheard of in Britain.
In searching for explanations, the focus goes to the fact that Americans seem to value wealth and work over social connections, in the view of a British epidemiology team, led by Sir Michael Marmot at the University College London Medical School. One reason for this, of course, can be seen in the lack of social safety nets Americans face. Compare Britain, which like most European countries, has a far more humane social system: in England, a student might pay about $3,000 a year for a university education (and in other European countries the government pays the whole thing); everyone who retires in Britain gets both a company and a government pension; health care is free. Americans, by contrast, live in fear of losing health care, not having enough money to retire on, or huge education bills.

Even among the well-to-do, contentment remains elusive: No matter how much people earn, their desires grow with their earning power. This insatiable pleasure-seeking has been called by Daniel Kahneman the “hedonic treadmill,” meaning that no matter what you have now, the yearning for more will grow proportionately – keeping you on an endless spending spree. Intriguingly, the country with highest rates of contentment worldwide is Denmark – whose people also have the lowest expectations for material comforts.

Add to America’s cultural malaise the fact that our networks of friends seems to be shrinking. Between 1985 and 2005, the average number of confidantes people reported dropped from three to two. By contrast, British and other European cultures place more importance on social connections than money. In Britain, for instance, every neighborhood has a pub, a place where neighbors go most nights to get together. By contrast, Americans disappear into their homes, doors locked.

This shrinking of personal contact may itself take a health toll. Carnegie Mellon psychologist Sheldon Cohen has found the more personal relationships a person has, the more healthy they are.

A Movement was Born

2009-06-22T14:27:00.003-06:00

Iran's former crown prince and advocate for reform, Reza Pahlavi, becomes emotional while speaking about the current situation in Iran.

He says, "A movement was born on the 12th of June..." I pray the people of Iran will begin to taste freedom and not rest until they secure it.

For the full video, click here.

The Religion that will Dominate the World

2009-05-12T18:15:00.003-06:00

questions?

props to Guy Muse for posting this one.

Ruined by Christ

2009-05-12T14:58:00.003-06:00

I can trace the problem back to one fateful day in college. I said yes to an innocent coffee appointment with a Campus Crusade for Christ staff member. I then agreed to join a group of fraternity men that actually found some sort of excitement from talking about Jesus (and that met at 10:00 at night no less). And through this little band of Greek brothers, Jesus jumped off the pages of history and thrust something deep into my heart that has never healed. What was it? LIFE.

And now that I've found it, I can't settle for anything less than mind-numbing, heart-wrenching, adventure-seeking, face-melting LIFE.

"What does that even mean?"

It's like spending years in that little kiddie pool that Mom used to set up for us on the back patio. That plastic paradise was the deal! 15 cubic feet of splendor, complete with a two-foot turtle slide. And I milked it for countless hours of enjoyment.

And then it happened. One day, years later, I saw it - the ocean from a small island in Cancun baby! I mean, I'd kind of seen it before, in magazines and on t.v. But now I could feel the warm, incredibly soft sand on the soles of my feet. The beach sank gradually beneath the gentle waves and stretched itself out for hundreds of yards, providing a sharp backdrop to a brilliant blue expanse. Deep blue met sky blue on a horizon a million miles away. The stillness of the water, disrupted only by small white ruffles from a passing boat or two, only added to the entrancing power it already possessed. I could have played in it for hours. Well, actually I did, not wanting to ever leave (until my skin turned a contrasting brilliant red). Now, whenever I think about going to another beach, I know I'll never be quite as happy as when I walked that sweet island shoreline near Cancun. When I think of going to a beach, I think of going to THAT one.

Unfortunately, that analogy fails miserably in capturing the deep desire Jesus has placed in my heart to experience Him. He has taken me to a place that I can't return from. I can't find satisfaction in a marginal church experience. A mediocre Bible study won't suffice. A sterile accountability group gives me nothing. I'm forever on a journey to drink deeply of Jesus through radical obedience to His Word, minute-by-minute communion with the King and a vibrant community of fellow-journeyers. Anything less feels like a grown man trying to crawl back into the kiddie pool and splash around.

God help me. I've been ruined.

Exponential Conference Live Feed

2009-04-22T09:33:00.002-06:00

Great discussion going on right now with Neil Cole at the Exponential Conference in Orlando. Many more to come.

Change the World Tomorrow (CCC Blogference Post #2)

2009-04-14T12:11:00.004-06:00

What must “reach the campus today” mean in order to arrive at the desired outcome of a changed world tomorrow?

This question has taken root deep in my soul over the past few years as I’ve helped lead an effort to transform a city of 28 million people. I have mulled over the question daily of what needs to happen in order to see Mexico City transformed by the power of the Gospel.

1. Depth of the Disciples

The key lies not in the pride of a plan, but in the depth of the disciples. Over the years, Campus Crusade has done an outstanding job developing young men and women that love the Lord and express that love through personal Bible study, prayer, fellowship and evangelism. Although those disciplines continue post-college, few students know how to effectively minister to their communities. Over time, those who so faithfully ministered to their college peers have their passion consumed by the frustration of “It’s just not like college.”

Of course, we all know nothing will ever be like those glorious days of shared experiences and passionate dreams of changing the world shared by so many on the college campuses of America (a little tongue-in-cheek). But have we (those ministers who help shape the culture of local Campus Crusade movements) traded the dangerous mess of holistic community ministry for the safe confines of pure evangelism on the college campus.

Jesus’ gives this analogy of the kingdom: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” The kingdom doesn’t just encompass evangelism, discipleship and other spiritual disciplines. It touches everything within every sphere of society. (More on this later in the week.)

2. Your Kingdom Come

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” he wasn’t using pie-in-the-sky terminology. He had just rebuked the Gentiles for using meaningless repetition in their prayers. Jesus was actually saying, “Pray that earth will look like heaven, where there is no pain, no weeping, no misery and God is glorified and magnified by all.” And when Jesus asks us to pray for something, I can’t find one instance where He doesn’t also want us to act upon that prayer.

We live in an exciting era. This generation of youth has an understanding of the spirituality of life (although not of God) and they want to involve themselves in serving people in need. In a culture full of negative trends, here are a few good ones we should take note of and capitalize on.

3. Do As I Do

I’m careful as I write this next section. Those who minister on campus use their gifts to bring the power of the Gospel to bear in the lives of thousands of young men and women. Many of them work tirelessly to ensure every student understands how to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Yet, in our tireless work to evangelize the campus, we have cut short the fullness of the Gospel and the kingdom’s pervasive nature. And our students, very naturally, follow the pattern that they’ve seen in our lives.

What would it look like if they saw something a little different in our lives? Without abandoning that which God has specifically called Campus Crusade to do (reaching the campus), can we lift up our eyes to see beyond the edge of campus to the pressing needs of our communities? Can we say, "Do as I do," and be comfortable with the result?

Tomorrow is Here (CCC Blogference Post)

2009-04-13T12:07:00.006-06:00

In 1951, Dr. Bill Bright set out on a mission, one that would help fuel Christ-centered missions around the globe and usher in a new student volunteer movement. The movement sprouted from humble beginnings on the campus of UCLA but would soon take flight to dozens of countries around the globe.

As Dr. Bright began to share the vision of Campus Crusade for Christ with his fellow believers, he would use a simple yet defining rallying cry: “Reach the campus today; reach the world tomorrow.” That would set the direction for the fledgling movement as Campus Crusade would take the message of Christ to thousands of college campuses in 191 different countries, making it one of the largest evangelical organizations in the world.

A few years into the movement, Dr. Bright would complete a book called, Come Help Change the World. Thousands of students and staff members signed onto the organization with the belief that reaching a generation of college students with the message of Christ would later touch every aspect of society. An army of young, impassioned students would have an effect on societies the world over. The ripple of the Gospel would leave transformed cities and cultures in its wake. After all, history has shown that its greatest movements have sprung from the hearts of its youth. Reach the campus today and change the world tomorrow? You bet!

So after 58 seven years of work in the United States, we should expect to see a vastly different place; a place where crime has trouble finding a dark alley, poverty has nothing to feed on, corruption and greed make everyone angry, children receive the highest education and strongest nurturing and a culture that puts no price tag on the value of instilling biblical values.

Yet somewhere, somehow, we have fallen drastically shy of that mark.

We now live in a country that is experiencing a steady decline in those who call themselves Christians. We can interpret this differently depending upon our perspective, but the wave of current statistics points to an undertow of resentment or indifference toward the local Church. (I find it appropriate to capitalize that last word, as the responsibility to influence the community falls on the Church corporately.)

No doubt that the vision and mission of Dr. Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ have unleashed a movement that can claim hundreds of thousands, even millions of souls for Jesus Christ. The students and staff have taken the light of the Gospel to some of the farthest corners of the globe. Millions have heard the Message. So was something lacking in the original vision? I don’t think so. But somewhere in our zeal to reach the campus today, we let the driving vision of a changed world tomorrow fade into proverbial history.

What must we do to regain that massive vision that so captivated the hundreds of thousands of staff, students and volunteers that joined the ranks of Campus Crusade for Christ five decades ago – that vision that hearkened back to one delivered a few thousand years ago by a Man from a small town called Nazareth?

Dump some thoughts out here. What’s your perspective? How can Campus Crusade/the Church in general embrace the full vision and calling of our Lord to bring the kingdom to earth?

The End of Christian America

2009-04-08T18:59:00.002-06:00

Is Christianity in America truly dying? Well, the answer might not be black and white, but you might find some insightful highlights from this Newsweek article on the topic. Here are a few morsels:

The proportion of Americans who think religion "can answer all or most of today's problems" is now at a historic low of 48 percent.
If we apply an Augustinian test of nationhood to ourselves, we find that liberty, not religion, is what holds us together. In "The City of God," Augustine —converted sinner and bishop of Hippo—said that a nation should be defined as "a multitude of rational beings in common agreement as to the objects of their love." What we value most highly—what we collectively love most—is thus the central test of the social contract. (my emphasis added)
How to balance concern for the garden of the church with the moral imperatives to make gentle the life of the world is one of the most perplexing questions facing the church.

A few good things to consider as we celebrate the life, death and resurrection of the one who came to our small planet to change everything.

Graduation from Officer Candidate School!

2009-03-15T09:39:00.003-06:00

The time has finally arrived! After hiking through blizzards, crossing frozen fords, scaling a ridiculous amount of objects and enjoying the constant loving, tender care of drill instructors, the day of liberation is within sight.

On March 20, 2009, I will make my official entrance among The Few, The Proud as a 2nd Lieutenant. What a wonderful honor to even have my name listed among the ranks of so many incredible men and women who have sacrificed so deeply for our country and in the defense of freedom around the world.

Should you be in the area and want to celebrate the momentous occasion with me you can find all the pertinent information here. I would love to have you join me. The Commissioning Ceremony will take place at the beautiful National Museum of the Marine Corps, one of the finest museums in the country (and the most enjoyable I've ever been to).

Please note that I am still confined to base and will be without communication prior to graduation, so I will not be available to answer any questions you may have. Just show up! I would love the surprise.

Officer Candidate School Pictures

2009-02-15T15:21:00.003-06:00

Out on just a few hours of liberty this weekend. Thank the Lord for the reprieve from the madness! Thought I would post a few pics that capture a snippet of the fun. :)

They've taken lots more pics but haven't posted them yet. You can check back on the website for more later this week.

Thank you for your prayers and letters! They're invaluable. The Lord continues to show His goodness and faithfulness as He confirms His calling over my life. I wish I had time to post the many lessons He has already taught me through this grueling process. I plan to reflect and share so of those many stories when all is said and done after March 20th.

Officer Candidate School Address

2009-02-08T15:48:00.002-06:00

Little time to write now, but we do have a few hours free this weekend. What a joy!!! Thank you to all of you who have sent letters. They have brought me tremendous encouragements during this time of intense training. My address is:

Candidate Joe Cross
OCS: D Co. 2nd Plt.
2189 Elrod Ave.
Quantico, VA 22134

Can't wait to post more when I actually have a life again.

Good News About Injustice

2009-01-06T12:23:00.006-06:00

So what is the good news about injustice? Gary Haugen, the founder and president of the International Justice Mission, makes it his mission to tell everyone. The good news about injustice is God is against it. In fact, he detests it.

The Lord looked and was displeased
to find there was no justice.
He was amazed to see that no one intervened
to help the oppressed.
So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm,
and his justice sustained him.
He put on righteousness as his body armor
and placed the helmet of salvation on his head.
He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance
and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.
He will repay his enemies for their evil deeds.
His fury will fall on his foes.
He will pay them back even to the ends of the earth.
In the west, people will respect the name of the Lord;
in the east, they will glorify him.
For he will come like a raging flood tide
driven by the breath of the Lord.

Isaiah 59:15b-19

Campus Crusade Conference in Denver

2009-01-05T17:56:00.003-06:00

At the Denver Christmas Conference in Denver, CO. One of the highlights of the year - every year. This morning Larry Martin from the International Justice Mission lit the place up with the pervasive power of God's passion for justice.

He gave a great perspective on a Christian's attitude toward justice using Jesus' feeding of the five thousand as an example of what Christ wants to do with the very little that we possess. We simply need to be willing to give that little we have to Him. An apropos illustration given that believers typically don't have any idea where to start when it comes to bringing justice to the oppressed.

Psalm 10:17-18

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

I hardly could hold it together this morning. Want to know why I'm following the Lord's calling into the Marine Corps? Now you have it.

My Jump into the Marine Corps

2009-01-04T16:21:00.004-06:00

Coming to Mexico City nearly two and a half years ago I had no idea what to expect. But Idid have one clear objective upon arrival: Help lead an effort to start Christ-centered movements on more than 400 university campuses.

At the time, I felt that was a “big” dream, and one that would involve a lot of people and resources and a whole lot of faith. But God had something a little larger in mind. He wasn’t just asking us to seclude ourselves to the safe confines of the college campus but to join in on a kingdom process already long underway – the transformation of His supercity.

I won’t ever forget that heart-pounding moment when the Lord spoke His will so clearly. We would launch movements on every college campus, but we must also focus our attention on the pressing needs of the whole city.

Fortunately for us, this really wasn’t so much of a pioneering effort as it was one of collaboration. Without much ado, God opened up doors that would connect us with the rest of His body well at work within the city, and other believers from outside that would aide the venture. And in a short time, miracles happened as literally thousands of laborers worked together to raise up a network of over 50 campus movements and numerous other initiatives that encompassed everything from assisting the poor and caring for street children to engaging business executives and high-ranking government officials.

Then something quite unexpected happened in my own heart. As we began to come against the injustice of our city, my already existent passion for justice deepened, and old dream, long since buried, resurfaced. After prayer and contemplation and a period of seeking wise counsel, this passion for justice would lead me to apply to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps, initiating again a journey I started in high school when I spent two years applying to the US Naval Academy.

The fact that I have exceeded the age limit to become an officer has expedited the process, and the Marines have asked me to join the next officer class in January 2009. So, as of December 31, 2008, I will transition from my role as Codirector of Mexico Focus and will serve as Chief Visionary Officer, continuing to serve in a high-level advisory role in the citywide transformation process. This transition will require me to leave full-time staff with Campus Crusade, but I will remain on as affiliate staff and work alongside our Military Ministry. Craig Johring, my gifted coleader, will remain as the Director of Mexico Focus, overseeing an all-star team of nearly 30 full-time staff and hundreds of volunteers.

I'll continue to blog on all things movement-related with more of my personal journey into the Corps (assuming I make it past Officer Candidate School). So many of you have brought me a lot of encouragement from your messages, support and prayers. I'll continue to need them now!

Your Future Shapes Your Present

2009-01-01T16:34:00.001-06:00

I'm not a new year's resolution guy myself - never have been. But I do believe in vision and having some defined goals that push you to do things you wouldn't naturally do otherwise. Alan Hirsch, author of the Forgotten Ways, just posted this thought that deserves some thoughtful consideration.

Fritz Roethlisberger, the late professor at Harvard Business School and a pioneer in the field of organizational behavior, observed: “Most people think of the future as the ends and the present as the means, whereas in fact, the present is the ends and the future the means.” Translated, Roethlisberger is telling us that holding a definite sense of vision (a preferred future) and mission informs and alters how people think and how they will behave in the present. Viewed this way, the future is a means to alter behavior. The new behavior shapes the ends, which in turn alter the future, and the spiral continues.

One does not creep up on a big future. Rather, the future is boldly declared in a vision and serves as the catalyst for all that follows. “When President Kennedy announced his famous moonwalk vision, there were no solutions to the problems that lay ahead: Congressional approval, appropriation of funds, technological breakthroughs, and the rejuvenation of NASA were still needed to fulfill the vision.” Kennedy’s moonwalk vision, acting as a catalyst, gathered up a collection of emotions and aspirations, desire and excitement, curiosity, power, a quest for knowledge, a competitive wish to be the first country to walk on the moon, imperialistic lust, and focused all these disparate forces to trigger unified action. The same is true for Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I have a dream’ speech. It acted as a strange attractor to provoke and initiate action on behalf of that vision.

We look back on such events as inevitable…things which just seemed to happen. But it is not so at all. We seem to lose perspective on the missional communitas that visions like these evoke. The authors of Surfing the Edge of Chaos profoundly note that “…enactment on behalf of a powerful goal alters the structure of reality” We, the people of God, are carried forward by a vision of the future that constitutes our mission. When we are caught up into it, and pursue it, we are changed, and we go on to enact history.

So, what is your vision for 2009 and beyond?

Fans Cheer for the Opposing Team?

2008-12-23T15:32:00.001-06:00

This might be the best article that has come out of ESPN The Magazine in a long, long time.

They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.

It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.

Did you hear that? The other team's fans?

They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, "Go Tornadoes!" Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.

It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.

"I never in my life thought I'd hear people cheering for us to hit their kids," recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. "I wouldn't expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!"

And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.

But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.

This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents. Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.

So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. "Here's the message I want you to send:" Hogan wrote. "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."

Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan's office and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"

And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."

Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!

"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). "They started yelling 'DEE-fense!' when their team had the ball. I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"

It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. "We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. "You can see it in their eyes. They're lookin' at us like we're criminals. But these people, they were yellin' for us! By our names!"

Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.

After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."

And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.

As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.

The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."

And as the bus pulled away, all the Gainesville players crammed to one side and pressed their hands to the window, staring at these people they'd never met before, watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.

Anyway, with the economy six feet under and Christmas running on about three and a half reindeer, it's nice to know that one of the best presents you can give is still absolutely free.

Hope.

Thanks to Andy McCullough for pointing this shining example of Christ-likeness out to all of us.

Rick Warren's Dateline Video

2008-12-19T20:58:00.002-06:00

Rick Warren's interview on Dateline ran tonight. Already widely recognized as one of the most influential evangelicals in America, Rick has garnered more attention as President-elect Obama's pick for the inaugural prayer. That has all but enraged an already fuming homosexual population recently dealt a blow by the historic passage of Proposition 8 in California.

Rick, like usual, delivers a great response to all those looking for some clarity in the issues facing America.

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Coach Pete Carroll's Shocking Nightlife

2008-12-14T19:23:00.004-06:00

After enjoying some Sunday football for the first time in a long, long time, the CBS show 60 Minutes came on. A story on USC football coach Pete Carroll caught my attention. The teaser mentioned that it was Coach Carroll's off-the-field life that landed him on the program. I thought, "Well, here's another guy caught partying with his recruits or visiting a local strip club." Thankfully my pessimism was proven wrong.

Coach Carroll uses some of his very limited free time to visit inner city L.A. gang turf and help young boys understand they have a better future than prison or gang violence. And by assembling some other influential leaders in the city, he has begun to have a big impact on a big city. To transform a city, it will take a network of leaders like this. Way to go Pete.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Who is a Movement Builder?

2008-12-11T11:59:00.003-06:00

Shane Walton over at www.movementbuilders.com wrote this article on the characteristics of a movement builder. I found it helpful enough to repost here.

Movement Builder Defined

The Institute for Democratic Renewal, a national collaboration supporting movements for racial and social justice, published a list of the most common characteristics of successful movement builders. While a few of the Institute’s points were omitted because they relate exclusively to social movements, the majority (in bold below) apply to all kinds of movements.

A Movement Builder understands that suffering and oppression are not enough to create a movement. In creating your movement you cannot afford to focus exclusively on the problem. You must offer your audience a solution — a vision of positive change — for them to rally around.

A Movement Builder is conscious of the need to go beyond slogans and to create programs that transform and empower participants. I have written previously on the difference between marketing and movement building. Most importantly, successful movement builders are not simply creating brand recognition; they are providing a positive change that their audience is passionate about.

A Movement Builder can accept contradictions that develop in the course of a struggle. Movement building is a dynamic, ongoing effort that is more a collaboration than a centrally controlled hierarchy. As such, there may be contradictions that arise because your supporters — in other venues or on other subjects — disagree with each other or with you. But successful movement builders are able to accept and at times even embrace those contradictions.

A Movement Builder is able to take advantage of historical moments—the convergence of time and events. No movement is created in a vacuum. More importantly, no movement COULD be created in a vacuum. Your audience’s passions come from the problems they are facing right now, in a particular culture, in a particular point in history, in a particular location. A successful movement builder uses the current context to generate support and interest.

A Movement Builder chooses boldness over timidity. Many sports t-shirts profess, “No guts, no glory.” The same could be put on a movement building t-shirt. You need to be willing to get out there, speak up, and take risks in order to build the buzz that is essential for a powerful movement.

A Movement Builder calls forth a vision that is larger than the issue at hand. The truth is that your nonprofit’s current campaign or your business’ current product will not always be relevant to your audience. The most successful movement builders engage their audience’s passions by solving current issues while simultaneously pointing to the larger vision that will lead the movement into the future.

A Movement Builder strikes a balance between control and autonomy. As mentioned above, movements are informal group actions that cannot be controlled in a strict hierarchical manner. You can guide and influence your growing movement, but you cannot fully dictate its course. The most successful movement builders have learned to walk the line between letting the movement run free and trying to control its every step.

Movement Builder Expanded

In addition to the Institute’s list, there are a few other characteristics that successful movement builders share.

A Movement Builder is strategic. Cultivating a movement is a complicated process, and without a plan to guide you the task becomes even more challenging. You need to be willing to alter your plan when circumstances change, but you must always be following a strategic vision.

A Movement Builder seeks help. The essence of a powerful movement could be described as people working together to achieve a common goal. As such, you are not just getting your message out to a receptive audience (that would be marketing) — you are assembling a group of people to help you spread the message. The sooner you ask for help, the sooner your group begins to grow.

A Movement Builder believes. Passion is contagious. If you believe in your product, your nonprofit’s mission, or the political candidate you represent, people will be able to tell. If you don’t believe, they will pick up on that, too. Passion is contagious, and successful movement builders have it.

This is a solid list of the most prominent characteristics shared by successful movement builders. Of course there are many other important traits — please add in the comments below some of the ones you have seen to be valuable in your work.

The Return of the Savior

2008-11-25T18:18:00.003-06:00

Ladies and gentleman...as quickly as he left, he has returned. The clouds have parted, and BILL SNYDER RETURNS AS THE COACH OF KANSAS STATE FOOTBALL!!!

Looks like he's primed for another magical turnaround. I hear the angels singing.

Meeting the President

2008-11-14T17:52:00.004-06:00

Last night it finally happened. After two years of talking about it, trying to work the magic and massaging the network (all to no avail), the pieces came together, and I had the privilege of meeting President Felipe Calderon face to face.

Craig Johring, my co-director, shared the honor with me. We kind of felt (and probably looked) like two kids in a candy shop...two very white kids. It's not just the fact that he's the president, but the parallel paths of our journey, that made our meeting so special.

Craig and I arrived in Mexico City in September 2006. A special electoral court had just certified that indeed Felipe Calderon Hinojosa would serve as Mexico's next president, rejecting a request by an opposition candidate to annul the election. About the time we showed up, the city was in turmoil with protesters blocking major traffic veins and effectively seizing the downtown historical center.

As the storm passed and Calderon took office on December 1st, an even bigger battle began. Vowing to fight the systemic corruption and powerful drug cartels, he assembled military assaults on known criminal strongholds, even dissarming local police forces suspected of aiding druglords. His victories didn't come without a cost. Execution style murders escalated as these dilenquents found their livelihood threatened. Several law enforcement personnel were assinated and even the innocent became a target.

And then a big blow last week. The crash of a Learjet on a crowded Mexico City street that carried the Secretary of the Interior, a close personal friend and ally to Calderon in his war on organized crime.

This particular night, in front of several thousand energetic Christians, I saw a man who bore the scars of sacrifice but who still held high a hope for a Mexico filled with justice, prosperity and love. His vulnerability and humility in asking for prayer and referring directly to the Savior while quoting Scripture roused affectionate cheers from the crowd. At one point, he stated, "Pray for me that I may share the strong faith that you all have."

It's no coincidence that God called us here when he did. We have a six-year window to work alongside a God-fearing leader, sympathetic to the cause of Christ to help transform a supercity and touch a nation. Our stories share more similarities than I can even recall in this post.

I continue to eat, sleep and breath citywide transformation, which made it even more special to see that the new Christian project rolled out that evening (with the full support of President Calderon) bore the title....."Transformaciones Mexico".

When God Wants More than an Event

2008-11-11T15:51:00.003-06:00

A really good post from Guy Muse today on what happened when his big event, full of lots of money, practice, and publicity, fell flat on its face. God had something just a little bit bigger planned than a one-night event, and he used them to make it happen.

My question...what would it look like if we always had that end in mind?

Sobering Medicine for Obama Euphoria

2008-11-08T16:44:00.002-06:00

In the midst of all the hoopla and history-making, let's make sure we keep our heads on straight. Yes, we can celebrate and congratulate and commemorate (and we should), but we must never capitulate. We now have a president elect that has a few ideas counter to what our founding fathers' believed. As Abraham Lincoln stated, "Stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong."

With a liberally controlled Senate, House and soon-to-be Executive Branch, well, we're in for an interesting four years. For all those God-fearing men and women who voted to put this man in office, you owe it to yourself and the rest of us to ensure we chart a God-fearing course. Or God help us, we will look you squarely in the eyes when the ship starts to sink and ask someone to sacrifice themselves to plug the hole in the bow.

Ronald Reagan offers us an appropriate perspective as we enter this next phase of American government. We would do well to consider carefully what the American socialist Norman Thomas said back in 1927: "The American people would never vote for socialism, but under the name of 'liberalism' the American people would adopt every fragment of the socialist program." Sobering indeed.

World Evangelization Numbers

2008-11-07T16:33:00.001-06:00

Guy Muse posted some interesting info from the IMB on his site:

Lottie Moon Fast Facts from the IMB on the state of world evangelization and the costs involved in the Southern Baptist global missions enterprise:

International Mission Board vital stats

5,359 missionaries (as of 5/12/08)
25,497 new churches*
609,968 baptisms*
567,413 new believers in discipleship*

*As reported in the 2007 Annual Statistical Report

Status of World Evangelization

11,573 people groups worldwide; 6.6 billion people
6,508 unreached* people groups; 3.8 billion people
5,903 Last Frontier** people groups; 1.6 billion people
Less than 2 percent evangelical

**Less than 2 percent evangelical, no active church planting

Lottie Moon past and present

2008 goal: $170 million
2007 receipts: $150,409,653.86
$3 billion given since offering’s inception
$3,315 collected in 1888 for first offering, enough to send three women to China

IMB budgeted income:

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering - about 50 percent
Cooperative Program - 33 percent
World Hunger and General Relief - 6 percent
Field-generated funds, investment returns and other income - 11 percent

Total IMB expenditures 2007 - $300.4 million

Overseas missions - $256.0 million
Missionary support - $214.1 million
Field work - $41.9 million
Stateside - $44.4 million

----------

Evaluating results solely in financial terms, $300.4 million was spent in 2007. That comes to $11,781 expended for each of the 25,497 new churches planted last year, and $492 for each of the 609,968 baptisms. If this sounds like a high cost per church/baptism, try comparing your own church's costs per baptism and church plant (assuming there were baptisms and church plants since 10,449 S. Bapt churches did not baptize a single person, and according to the Barrett and Johnson's, World Christian Trends, the cost of each baptism in USA institutional churches is a staggering $1,551,466!!! not to mention new church plants.)

If one divides the number of IMB missionaries (5359) by the baptisms and new church plants, the numbers average out to 4.75 church starts per missionary (9.5 per couple), and 113 baptisms each in 2007. Of course these figures include the work of all of our national overseas partners, and not solely work done by the missionaries, but it does give an idea of the kind of global response and the overall costs involved.

Effectively Confronting Corruption in Mexico

2008-11-06T16:50:00.004-06:00

If you ever plan on driving in Mexico, you should prepare yourself to deal with corrupt officials on a semi-regular basis. Failure to do so could cost you dearly.

After a few years in country and more run-ins with corrupt police officers than I care to recall, I've learned how to effectively remove the venom from their bite. Another recent and relatively heated exchange in Acapulco made me consider sharing this knowledge with tourists and fellow expatriates in Mexico. After one ignorant exchange in my early days, let's just say I haven't had a problem since.

The following tips could save you a big headache and a lot of money when an officer stops your vehicle for an infraction you know you didn't commit:

Ask the officer why you were stopped.
Do not be intimidated by a uniformed official. Remain calm and confident and implement the plan below.
They will ask for your license. BEFORE giving them your license, ask for their name and badge number. This is your most valuable move and accomplishes several things. You gain leverage now because you can later easily identify the official. They would rather remain anonymous. This is just simple accountability. You also let them know that you know what you're doing and are not an ignorant tourist that they can easily manipulate. Once they have your license, they have a certain amount of power over you. You may (and should) refuse to surrender your license until you have recorded this information. Take out a pen and paper and write it down, and let them see you write it down. If you can't communicate in Spanish, use hand gestures to explain you want to see their badge. (Note: Most officials wear their badge on their chest, which allows you to easily see their name and identification number. If they're not wearing their badge or refuse to give you that information, you can bet they plan on trying to take advantage of you.)
Always carry the number of a nearby U.S. (or your home country) Embassy with you. Again, let them see that you have the number to the embassy, and don't be afraid to call it. For the embassy to help, they will need to have the above information as well as the patrol car number, as you can read in this excerpt taken from their website: In some instances, Americans have become victims of harassment, mistreatment and extortion by Mexican law enforcement and other officials. Mexican authorities have cooperated in investigating such cases, but one must have the officer's name, badge number, and patrol car number to pursue a complaint effectively. Please note this information if you ever have a problem with police or other officials. In addition, tourists should be wary of persons representing themselves as police officers or other officials. When in doubt, ask for identification. Be aware that offering a bribe to a public official to avoid a ticket or other penalty is a crime in Mexico.
Call a corruption hotline. In 2007, Mexico City made a hotline available to report extortion and corruption. You can reach the hotline Honestal by dialing 089 or 5658-1111. I can't say if they provide bilingual service, but you should call nonetheless. (Note: By this point, you will most likely have sufficiently scared these cops straight, and they will send you on your way again with no further hassle.)
Call a lawyer or your insurance company. If you know a lawyer in Mexico, call them. They will speak to the official and set the record straight. Also, if you have Mexican insurance on the vehicle, they usually provide a help number. Call and explain the situation to them. They may be able to help, and if not, they can connect you with someone who can.
Refuse to pay the bribe. You must commit to this no matter how much pressure they apply. Some officials will try to convince you that you can pay the "fine" directly to them. That is NEVER the case. They may try other tactics to intimidate you, such as physically removing the license plate from your car or threatening to call a tow truck. Don't let that push you into submission. As you continue to resist their extortion and the drama escalates, they will back down. It's better for them to move on than to have to deal with the headache that will insue should you identify them as corrupt. Most of them will eagerly let you pass after just five to ten minutes.

Obama In, Gay Marriage Out

2008-11-05T13:45:00.001-06:00

Obama makes history and California voters say, "Enough!" to homosexual activism.

Plane Crash Near President's Home in Mexico City

2008-11-04T21:57:00.005-06:00

Just a few hours ago, around 6:30 p.m. in Mexico City, a Learjet 24 crashed near the home of President Felipe Calderon (and just half a mile from my former residence). Among the eight killed in the crash was the Interior Minister Juan Camilo Maurino, one of the President's closest advisers and a prominent figure in the battle against organized crime and drug trafficking.

"His death causes me enormous pain," Calderon stated at a news conference. "I ask all Mexicans that they don't allow any event, no matter how difficult or painful, to weaken them in the pursuit of a better Mexico."

Initial evidence would suggest an attack from the very delinquents that Juan Camilo Maurino sought to bring to justice. This is a great loss for Mexico and a reminder of the need for (and cost of) leadership that confronts corruption and insecurity head on.

Jack Jezreel on Kingdom of God

2008-10-29T22:56:00.001-06:00

Today marked the final day of a leadership conference in Colorado Springs on launching movements in the Midwest. Jack Jezreel gave our group of Campus Crusade for Christ local directors a lot to think about. If you haven't heard Jack present on God's justice for the hopeless and our response, you're missing a provocative paradigm-shifting experience.

Jack, a layman in the Catholic church, has helped thousands of Catholics and evangelicals understand what salvation (in the fullest sense of the word) is really all about. You can learn more about him and his organization of Just Faith at www.justfaith.org.

Mexico City Makes Top 10 World Cities

2008-10-16T13:39:00.001-06:00

The Lonely Planet just released its latest travel guide, and Mexico City made the list for the world's top 10 cities. Congratulations Distrito Federal!

Others that made the list:

Antwerp
Beirut
Chicago
Glasgow
Lisbon
Sau Paulo
Shanghai
Warsaw
Zurich

Slap Me in the Face if This Ain't Clear

2008-10-14T19:23:00.002-06:00

So I'm a little disgusted. The people who know me best know I have a passion for justice. If I see a bridge out and people drowning in the river, I not only want to pull the people out, but also to fix the darn bridge. And if I find the guy who knocked the bridge out, I'm going to ask him very kindly to face the consequences of his actions.

With our current financial crisis, a lot of people are in the river. And boy I'd like to have a talk with the smart folks that knocked this bridge out.

Inevitable Disclaimer: This isn't a political blog. I'm not espousing Republican jargon here. Let's just analyze the facts, and at the end of the day, hold everyone accountable (and check their pocketbooks in the process).

Money Talks: McDonald's Changes Stance

2008-10-13T17:12:00.003-06:00

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” - Abraham Lincoln

The American Family Association boycott of McDonald's has shown the power that Christians have to hold corporate America accountable. In a recent e-mail to McDonald’s franchised owners, the company said, “It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues. McDonald’s remains neutral on same sex marriage or any ‘homosexual agenda’ as defined by the American Family Association.” I'd call that a victory for values.

A friend asked me the other day, "Where do we draw the line when holding unbelievers accountable?" I thought it was a great question.

As Scripture shows, only through Christ do we have the power to overcome sin. To hold unbelievers to the same standard as believers is not wise, nor plausible. But does the same hold true for businesses and organizations?

No. In fact, I believe it falls within the duty of a Christ-follower to help these entities uphold moral values, not destroy them. We've seen a great example in the recent financial crisis of what happens when we turn a blind eye to moral degradation in corporations.

If every believer made a conscious effort to support only businesses that blessed our society, how many more of them would find it sensible to change their stance?

New Movement Launch!

2008-10-13T16:38:00.004-06:00

Our new team of interns saw their first movement launched this past Friday on a medical campus (hence the lab coats, not a new trend in Mexican fashion). Mandy Francis and Michelle Miller followed up with a contact we had from last year. That contact introduced them to another classmate, who in turn told them about another believer. After pulling four people together over the course of several weeks, they arrived at the launch point.

Upon hearing their story, I invited myself to campus with them. Daniela, one of our young Mexican leaders from another campus, also accompanied us to experience a launch for herself.

By God's good timing, I had just finished a new tool affectionately called, "The Movement Launcher" (credit to the Wiekamps for the ingenious concept). After working on the tool for several months, I was more than ready to test it out with some new students. Michelle and Mandy did an outstanding job leading the students through the booklet. Consisting mostly of Scripture verses, the Launcher walks them through the core of a movement: commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. As we came to the point of decision, the students made a commitment to one another to launch into the great unknown.

The ladies will meet with these four sophomores over the next few weeks to encourage them in this new effort. We're also pursuing a local pastor to give support to this group.

The Movement Launcher should be available for download within the next few weeks.

Way to go Michelle and Mandy!!

(picture on right: Ana (front) comes from a Christian family. David was led to Christ by one of her family members just 9 months ago.)

Christmas Conference Challenge

2008-10-09T21:19:00.003-06:00

For all you young folks heading to Denver in January, this just came out for you. If you don't give it a shot for the cash, do it just to help people come and encounter Christ.

We’re asking YOU, the students, to make your own promo video for DCC '09. Get creative and add your own spin to your video!

The producer(s) of the winning video will receive $250 CASH!!!!!!!

Video Contest Rules:

1. Your video must contain a DCC related message. Entry must contain at least one clearly stated message regarding DCC, what it is, why people should go, what happens there, etc.

2. Be sure to include conference details and the website: www.goDCC.com.

3. Your video must be less than 2 minutes in length.

4. Do NOT use copywritten video or music clips.

5. YOUR VIDEO MUST BE POSTED on YouTube.com by NOON, Monday, November 10th (however if your video is completed earlier you can post it earlier to gain YouTube views).

6. Also, send the YouTube embedded URL to: DCCvideocontest@gmail.com by NOON, Monday, November 10th.

The DCC Marketing team will judge entries based on the following criteria:

1. DCC MESSAGE and ADHERENCE TO CONTEST RULES (25%)

2. CREATIVITY & QUALITY (25%)

3. POPULARITY (50%): Entries submitted via YouTube.com should be forwarded to friends and family to accumulate “views” thus increasing the video’s popularity on the World Wide Web. The number of “views” the entry receives will be very significant in the judging process. Use whatever means necessary to get as many people on as many campuses to watch your video.

Disclaimer: Entries that contain any inappropriate language or material will be automatically discarded from the contest.

Winners will be announced on Thursday, December 11th, 2008.

Questions? E-mail: DCCvideocontest@gmail.com

Francis Chan in Mexico City

2008-10-06T19:16:00.006-06:00

I became a Francis Chan fan after spending the weekend hosting him and his daughter here in Mexico City. He began to win me over sharing how his church is reaching out to their community and coming alongside other ministries to meet the needs of the poor and the homeless.

After browsing through a few of his websites today, I thought I'd share some with you all. Below is a great video from his site www.juststopandthink.com.

I was also converted as a Rachel Chan fan - probably the sharpest 12-year-old I've ever met. Here is her acting debut, starring as Francis.

Click here for some great shots of the Passion event in Mexico City!!!

Our Common Language

2008-10-05T20:09:00.003-06:00

Cindy set down her glass of liquor on the bar and said, "How can I help? Do you take donations?" I struck up a conversation with Cindy at the bar of the hotel where the Passion staff were staying. I had just mentioned a few of our core focuses, including eradicating extreme poverty and caring for the street kids of Mexico City.

I soon learned that Cindy didn't care that much for religion, but she does love her kids, and her heart hurts for the underprivileged children of Mexico. She insisted on helping us in some way, and that sentiment continued, even as we talked about Christ.

Language seems like such a simple distinction between cultures, but the gap created by it is a big one. (This seems off topic, but hang with me.) I've learned this time and again while living in Mexico. Another great lesson came at the Passion event this past weekend. Although every song had its equivalent meaning spelled out in Spanish (below the English lyrics), you could see and feel a marked difference when Chris Tomlin would sing a few lines in Spanish. You could sense their hearts engage.

Cindy exhibited this same response. We weren't speaking different languages linguistically, but we came from different cultures. Beyond the fact that she's Canadian, we each had our own culture of spiritual background. I could've talked about our commitment to helping people have a relationship with Jesus all night long. That would've fallen on deaf ears. But the minute I mentioned my passion to bless the children of the city, she started to sing with me. And you have to love her very first comment: "How can I help?"

Wouldn't you like to hear that more from nonbelievers in your community? If we want them to listen to what matters most to us, namely Christ, we better learn how to sing in their language first.

Mexico City: Passion Ignites

2008-10-05T17:10:00.003-06:00

Nearly 8,000 people rocked the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City this past weekend, as the crew from Passion helped college students experience the transforming grace of Jesus.

Our journey with Passion began over a year ago when I made a phone call to their offices in Atlanta, Georgia after hearing about their world tour. It just so happened that the woman answering the phone, Gina Shaw, would coordinate the planning team for the Mexico City event. That simple call eventually lead to dozens of wonderful relationships as we worked together to see the world's second largest city experience a spiritual awakening.

Although short of the 18,000 expected this weekend (Passion actually distributed over 20,000 tickets), the crowd gained momentum throughout the two-day event and finished with an electric atmosphere last night. Suffice it to say that the right people made it.

Thousands worshiped the King, basked in his goodness and grace, and expressed their desire to move forward in faith to impact their campuses and their city. You can hear their response in the video below as Louie Giglio spoke to them.

We will hold a follow-up training meeting next Saturday to help students immediately put their passion into action.

Give Life to Our Troops

2008-10-02T11:54:00.003-06:00

Our men and women are still fighting for freedom and American security over there. You can't go visit, but you can send the Word of God and a source of encouragement with them. Check it out.

Passion Mexico City!

2008-10-01T13:02:00.001-06:00

Only two days remain before 18,000 young people will crowd into El Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City for the Passion World Tour. Over a year ago, I began a relationship with Passion that has enabled us to help them with this event, and at the same time, search for hundreds of students that will return to their campuses and launch Christ-centered movements.

The Passion event will start on Friday evening and run through Saturday evening. We will use a long lunch break on Saturday to cast vision to interested leaders in how they can reach their campuses for Christ. Would you join us in praying that God will ignite the hearts of hundreds of students and Christ’s love will compel them to live out a commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission on their university campuses?

Saturday of the following week, we will gather these leaders together to train them in starting Christ-centered movements. We have over 50 movements in the city right now, but this event could help propel us over 100 very quickly. The day when we all 1,000,000 college students in the city will know someone who truly follows Christ draws closer.

José, one of our sharp grads, led a training time yesterday for students that will wear t-shirts at the event and help answer questions about movement-launching on campus.

Obama, McCain Gaffes

2008-09-30T08:57:00.001-06:00

A few funny videos from our top presidential candidates (not intended to offend, which is why I offer one for both sides).

"That's what my Momma told me."

"Iranians aren't part of Al Queda?"

Multiplying Movement at UNAM Branch

2008-09-29T20:25:00.004-06:00

Friday I went with the evangelism machines, the Hurst twins, to a branch campus of UNAM, the world's largest university.

One of our former STINTers (Nate Hoover) helped get this tiny movement going about a year and a half ago. The leader of this group has arisen as a strong apostolic leader. In other words, he loves to initiate things, and has embraced our vision of movements everywhere. I have had a chance to build a relationship with José and help him develop his apostolic gifting. What a joy to see him use his abilities to help bring the kingdom to his campus.

Although, José recently graduated, he still helps coach the groups at the branch campus. Yep, I did say groupssss. They now have 5 movements in 5 different departments! Not bad for a little over a year.

These guys are good stuff. We shared our faith for a few hours on campus after their weekly gathering, and then hopped on the metro, only to have one of the students break out his guitar and José start sharing his faith.

Voting Guides for 2008 Presidential Election

2008-09-29T18:02:00.002-06:00

In case you wanted to (and you should) look at some credible voting guides as you determine how to cast your vote this November, here they are. Unless you don't have a pulse, you realize that we've reached a critical juncture once again in the history of our nation. Let's pray to God that He will grace us with a leader that will follow Him and lead well.

Here's a David Barton video on the war on God in America:

The Gotham of Mexico

2008-09-14T20:18:00.002-06:00

It's a place where confusion clings to people's hearts like the smog cloud that hovers over the city. Corruption and dishonesty run from your neighbor's door to the mayor's mansion. Crime and violence call it a happy home.

Who can save Mexico City? Is there a Batman waiting in the shadows?

Like any major city, Mexico City has its days in the sun, but too often it settles for the polluted rain that falls daily in the summers. After two years here, I have walked through the sun and the rain. I do find it far too easy to let one day's rain dampen my whole week. This place can eat up the best of men, as evidenced by the still seedling movement of true Gospel transformation.

Yet, I still firmly believe that the dawn waits just over the horizon. But this generation must arise to battle this darkness head on. This city doesn't need a Batman, it needs a whole army of them.

Crime wave

— A record 2,500 drug-related murders were committed in Mexico last year

— In the first six months of this year there were 323 reported kidnappings in Mexico City

August 1

— The decomposed body of the son of a businessman is found in a car

August 16-17

— Nine people were killed in Cuidad Juárez, and 21 people died in Creel

August 23

— A state police chief was kidnapped and killed, a police officer was killed in Tabasco and nine people were murdered in Chihuahua state

August 28

— Eleven decapitated men were found in Mérida, capital of Yucatán

August 31

— Anti-crime march of more than 100,000 people in Mexico City

September 1-5

— Eighteen decapitated bodies discovered across the country

Read more.

Mexico's Legal Revolution

2008-09-06T18:05:00.001-06:00

While Mexico continues to swim in corruption and moral decline (note the recent Supreme Court decision to uphold abortion), there is cause for celebration in the hearts of the people. A constitutional amendment ratified by Mexico's 32 states, approved by the legislature and signed by President Felipe Calderon gives Mexico eight years to move from its antiquated, corrupt closed legal system to an open "innocent until proven guilty" system.

Since the Spanish conquest in the 1500s, Mexico had used a judicial system adopted from Europe in which the accused is not presumed to be innocent. Hearings held in secret and in writing led to massive corruption and injustice that still has a hold on much of the country.

Praise God that justice has taken a large step forward.

Business Executives Receive Christ

2008-08-29T18:11:00.003-06:00

We're holding a follow up meeting next week for the businessmen that attended our Rick Warren executives event. We will probably gather around 30 of these people for the continuation of this new movement. One huge blessing that came out of the kickoff - six of these influential men and women surrendered their lives to Christ for the first time.

Brainstorming ideas include: Christ-centered micro-financing to help eradicate extreme poverty (of which affects 24% of the population in Mexico), biblical-based entrepreneurship efforts targeting university students, Christian mentorship program with university students, and several more.

Ask God to bless these men and women as they seek to use their influence for the Kingdom.

'Extraordinary Meeting' to Determine Age of Chinese Gymnasts

2008-08-24T14:11:00.001-06:00

The Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) held what they called "an extraordinary meeting" yesterday to discuss the age of Chinese female gymnasts. As could be expected, Chinese officials supplemented their previous documentation with more papers and a few more stories to try to explain the controversy.

The FIG will continue to analyze the papers (which won't be real helpful) and look into the situation (which will be helpful if they look at evidence beyond what the Chinese government provides).

Continue to email the FIG, and encourage them to look at ALL the evidence testifying to the real age of the gymnasts.

China Cheating? Contact Gymnastics Federation

2008-08-22T11:24:00.006-06:00

Bloggers and hackers alike have made inroads to Chinese documents showing that 4 of China's gymnasts may be underage. Let's just be honest here. If you're like me, and you watched the coverage of Olympic gymnastics, it looks like the Chinese gymnasts are still pulling out their baby teeth. But is all this controversy unfounded?

Not hardly. As you can read in this just released AP article, even China's own Yang Yun, a double bronze medalist in Sydney, said during an interview aired on state broadcaster China Central Television that she was 14 in 2000.

The International Olympic Committee is asking for an investigation, but they're still taking a soft line, saying they're satisfied with the Chinese documents provided. My recommendation? Contact the International Gymnastics Federation and encourage them to look at the history of these athletes to verify their age. The rest of the hard-working athletes that play by the rules deserve at least that.

Read the statement released by the International Gymnastics Federation an hour ago, then be sure to email them, encouraging an independent investigation.

Video of Saddleback's Presidential Debate

2008-08-16T21:52:00.004-06:00

Miss the outstanding debate tonight between Obama and McCain hosted by Pastor Rick Warren? You can already find good recorded coverage of the debate at CNN and videos are appearing on YouTube. I imagine the Saddleback Civil Forum website will also have the entire recorded debate available soon.

If you missed it, it's worth catching up on.

Funniest Video EVER - in Honor of Beijing Olympics

2008-08-16T15:59:00.002-06:00

This video still holds top rank as the funniest I've ever seen. I've never put it on my blog, even though I've watched it dozens of times. So here it is, in honor of our Chinese Olympic hosts.

My favorite parts...the echo by the guy on the left about the 1:12 mark and the big crescendo at 2:30. Ohhh, that's good stuff.

This dynamic duo has gained worldwide attention because of their lip syncing prowess. You can see some other stuff they've done on their blog.

Give to US Olympics Without Spending a Dime

2008-08-16T15:15:00.002-06:00

Visit the NBC Olympics website and click on the Home Depot link on the right side (you'll see it). They will donate $1 to the US Team for every click. That seems worthy of five seconds of your time to support our outstanding athletes.

Make history Phelps!!!

Who is Ronald McDonald in bed with?

2008-08-13T20:14:00.001-06:00

McDonald’s has done it again. First, the company paid $20,000 to become a member of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and to have a seat on the board of directors. Next, McDonald’s refused a request to remain neutral in the culture war by choosing to promote the gay agenda. Then McDonald’s accused those opposing the gay agenda, including same-sex marriage, of being motivated by hate.

Now we learn that McDonald’s sponsors training for homosexuals on how to promote their agenda among corporations from the inside. Out & Equal™ Workplace Advocates is a national organization devoted to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the workplace. One of its primary purposes is to train employees how to aggressively promote homosexuality within the company they work for, all the way to the corporate boardroom. Part of last year’s Out & Equal Summit in Washington, DC, (sponsored by McDonald’s) was an organized march into congressional offices demanding same-sex marriage laws be passed.

At the bottom of McDonald’s half-page ad in the Out & Equal Summit booklet is this statement: “From neighborhood to neighborhood, coast to coast and around the world, McDonald’s is proud to celebrate diversity” (homosexuality).

Source: American Family Association

Disclaimer: You decide for yourself what to do with this information. I feel it necessary to inform people of what McDonald's decides to do with their money and of their decision to push an agenda on an unsuspecting populous.

Pics from Rick Warren Event

2008-08-11T23:04:00.002-06:00

Some pics from our business executive's event and the World Trade Center venue with Rick Warren this past week. Click here.

Rick Warren Outcome

2008-08-08T14:34:00.001-06:00

Thank you for your prayers!!!! I'm leaving for a flight in about 10 minutes...so this will be short.

God showed up in a big way with the businessmen's event last night. We had close to 100 top business leaders and politicians last night. What a blessing to have Rick speak to these influencers. We received contact cards with great feedback, even had a few people receive Christ during the evening. A follow up event will take place in less than two weeks to continue to engage these men and women in the transformation and possibly a Christ-centered micro-financing operation.

This morning also went well. Several thousand people heard Rick speak on the Peace Plan. Unfortunately, our part was cut at the end (which is a whole nother story), but we announced our ministry and were able to disseminate information.

Thank you for your prayers. Now begins the hard work of following up and helping people all over the city engage in meeting the hurts and needs of the city through the love of Christ.

A HUGE THANK YOU to our advisors that joined us here for these important days: Rick and Jayne Brekelbaum, Ed and Wanda Thomas, Ron and Cristy Varela, Eric Swanson and Sam Williams. Without these wonderful men and women, we'd still be sitting in a little room somewhere rubbing our chins asking how we're going to start this whole thing. They have blessed my life tremendously. Pictures coming...

Praying for Us and Rick Warren

2008-08-07T14:43:00.001-06:00

As you may recall, our event with over 3,000 pastors and leaders with Rick Warren will take place tomorrow morning at the World Trade Center in Mexico City. The spiritual battle continues to rage stronger than ever. I am asking everyone I know to commit to praying for us and for those who will attend. I will be giving a brief message after Rick Warren regarding the state of the Church in Mexico City and the pressing hour at hand that calls us to join arms to bring transformation. God has brought the pieces together as only He can at this historic point in the history of this country, but the enemy has increased (significantly) his attacks from all sides.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AN OUTPOURING OF GOD’S SPIRIT AND HEARTS THAT WILL UNITE IN LOVE TO BRING CHRIST TO THIS CITY.

We also have a meeting this evening with Rick Warren and about 100 influential business executives from across the city to talk about some plans to engage people at that level in the transformation. We need your prayers that God might move mountains as a result.

People connected to the president and some major new movements are coming to these events. The potential for the Church to rise up, unite and see millions come to Christ is within sight. Declare it in the heavens!

Call from the Vice President

2008-08-06T11:13:00.004-06:00

Just had a classic moment. I'm on the phone talking with one of Rick Warren's assistants to plan out the final details for two events that we're having on Thursday and Friday of this week. He gets a call from one of the former Vice Presidents asking to speak with Rick. (I'm leaving out names for obvious reasons.) Needless to say, I told him we'd talk later.

Apart from fun stories like this one, we're facing a significant spiritual battle that could lead to major breakthrough in this city. Please pray for an event we have with Rick Warren and some key influential businessmen, politicians and artists on Thursday night and an event with 3,000 pastors and leaders on Friday morning in the World Trade Center.

If these people grasp the depth of this Christ-centered movement to transform the city and begin to empower their people and one another and work together under the same purpose, we will see the foundation laid that will catalyze transformation.

Mexico Journey Stats

2008-08-03T20:49:00.002-06:00

The 17 students that came down for the Mexico Journey had an outstanding time. They probably surfaced a few leaders that are going to join our staff in other cities, as well as helping students experience Christ and live out their faith on their campuses.

Here are the numbers from their seven weeks here:

2102 people exposed to Christ
41 new believers
5 new movements launched

CCN Births Native American Movement

2008-08-03T11:49:00.002-06:00

Just received this report from my good friend Jaeson Ma who heads up Campus Church Networks out of California. They just finished a student church-planting conference in Kansas City and finished their time with an apostolic effort at Haskell University, a very large and prestigious Native American University.

When we first got there we found out the dormitory we were staying at had a horrible history. Over 700 Native American children were starved to death and murdered in the basement by the American government nearly 100 years ago. The first day, our student missionaries were getting sick, doubting their purpose there, others were hearing voices in the hallways and some even encountered evil spirits in the dormitory. We knew it would be a spiritual battle between light and darkness. We had to come in an opposite spirit of faith, hope and love. So we set up a 24-7 prayer room in the dormitory and began prayer watches on the campus.

On the third day, we gathered all our student and staff together and we repented in the middle of the courtyard where 100 children were supposedly buried. There we got on our knees, we repented for the sins committed against the Native people and ask God to pour out His mercy and grace over Haskell University and the first nations young people. I can't explain it, but we felt the presence of the Holy Spirit come down into that courtyard and dispel the darkness. We felt the love of God begin to fill that campus with light and blessings. We knew something had changed in the spiritual atmosphere at that moment, the blood of Jesus had covered the sins of the past and there would be a new beginning at Haskell University.

The next days we trained our student missionaries in cross cultural evangelism, discipleship and simple church planting in the morning and afternoons. In the evenings they got to hang out with Native American students who were at Haskell for summer school. They prayed and played: basketball, eating dinners, playing sports, hanging out in dormitories, helping students study, played games etc As our student missionaries practiced being a blessing to the native students, open doors began to open up for the Gospel to be preached. Many of our student missionaries were able to pray, bless and prophesy over the native students and miracles began to happen. Some student missionaries got to start evangelistic Bible studies in only a few days, others prayed for divine healing and deliverance and saw God answer in power, others simply loved on the students at Haskell in practical and tangible ways. God was moving!

One night someone prophesied that before Student CPX was over that a Native American student would be saved and baptized in the dormitory bath tub. We received the word and believed it by faith! Then it happened!

On the last day, we would have never thought that during a time of prayer and sharing that a few native American students would receive Christ into their hearts without us even giving an altar call. The Spirit of God hit the room and one native student simply said, "Jesus is talking to me and I received Him into my heart!" After that another student repented and both were baptized in the dormitory bath tub that night! They were immediately filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in other tongues and praising the name of God! When the baptism happened we all knew that what the Devil intended for evil, God was turning for good. That dormitory was once full of darkness and evil spirits, but that night the dormitory was transformed with the presence of angels and the Light of Jesus Christ! It is a new day for Haskell University and the First Nations young people of America!