How was God at work?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In John 5:17, Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” Joining Jesus in his ministry has been our focus in conferences for the last few years. As I attend the conferences and visit our local congregations, I see us involved in outreach more and more (see examples in several of this week’s features – click on the links at left). This outreach is great to see and gives me comfort as I try to make sense of the senseless violence so prevalent in the daily news.

A case in point is what happened a few days ago in the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. The horrific murders that occurred there hit close to home for me. My sister and her husband used to live in the Denver area. My wife grew up there and that is where we had our wedding ceremony. A tragic event like that causes us to ask, How was God at work in a place where sin and death was taking such a terrible toll?

Another situation also hitting close to home for me is what is happening in Chicago. I grew up there, and many of my cousins and dear friends live there. I was shocked to learn that Chicago has become the murder capital of America. Over the last year, the homicide rate has risen by 38%. In just the last six months, there have been 272 homicides (during the same period, New York City with three times the population of Chicago had 189 homicides and Los Angeles had 147).

It’s natural to feel a sense of hollowness when confronted by such terrible tragedies. It’s also natural to cry out for “someone to do something!” The U.S. is a free country and most of us who live here treasure the freedoms we have. I expect some politicians will use this opportunity to lobby for stricter gun controls. However, guns are not the root of the problem. Nor are drugs or other “things” that pollute our society. As Jesus explained, “It’s what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness—all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution” (Mark 7:21-23 MSG).

No matter how free or regimented a society may be, there is a slavery that holds many of its people in its grip. Human sin can twist and bend anything out of shape, be it a nation, a city or a person. There are times when we can all identify with Paul, when he lamented, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25 NLT).

No matter how grim things seem, God’s character and his purpose to redeem us do not change. God remains what he is: a giving, loving and gracious God. Since life-giving love is the essence of his being, his character drives his will and purpose to redeem a fallen humanity from its bondage. Sin and death are not going to be the final word in this cosmic story. Because of who our triune God is and because of what he is doing, evil has no future!

We don’t always see how God is at work as clearly as we would like, but that doesn’t mean that it is not happening. Let’s never forget that the Holy Spirit is at work everywhere. When I see people’s lives change as they embrace God’s love, I am reminded that he truly is present and active.

When we believe, we are made alive in Christ, sharing in God’s own triune love and life. In Christ, we are who God created us to be – people living toward God and other people in God’s love. Though the consequences of sin occurring daily in our world may seem unbearable, God’s grace is greater than sin.

Our triune God demonstrated this most clearly and powerfully in Jesus’ resurrection from death and in his ascension into God’s presence. On that foundation, we can hope and pray for God’s kingdom to reach its fullness on earth as it is in heaven. God fulfills his promises – he will make all things new. His merciful righteousness, displayed and effective in our Lord Jesus Christ, will put everything right. In the end, every tear will be wiped away. He himself is our living hope—now and forever.

So, even as I mourn the senseless loss of lives in Colorado and elsewhere, I am comforted too. I pray for the recovery of the shooting victims who survived, for the comfort of those who grieve, and that through all of this, God will draw people closer to himself.

With love in Christ’s service,

Joseph Tkach

Olympian, Reuben Ross

Nat and Mary Ross are members of GCI’s congregation in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. They are featured in a video (click here) that tells the story of how the Rosses are supporting their son Reuben who will be diving for Canada in the upcoming Olympic Games in London. Best wishes, Reuben!

Leslie Howard’s book published

Leslie K. Howard has had her first book published. Leslie is a ministry leader at 24/7 Community Church, a GCI congregation in Newark, New Jersey, which is pastored by her husband, Frank Howard.

Leslie’s book, which is titled Sisters with S.A.S.S. (Saved, Anointed, Smart and Successful Women of God), examines lives of both biblical and contemporary women who when presented with challenges faced them boldly, courageously and faithfully. These ladies experienced victory by the divine hand of God. Readers find inspiration for their personal journey while delving into the lives of women such as Jochebed, Abigail and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Each account is followed by a narrative from the author’s life. Discussion questions are provided for either personal or group studies.

Leslie’s book is available at Amazon.com and from her online store.

Evangelistic small groups in Ohio

GCI’s congregation in Tipp City, OH (CrossRoads Christian Fellowship) has been actively forming evangelistic small groups that reach out to unchurched people. They first invite people to participate in the Alpha course conducted in their church building. Those who show interest in following Christ are invited to participate in follow-up small group discussions using The Hope of Jesus, a small-group curriculum grounded in Trinitarian theology that was written by CrossRoads pastor Jim Valekis.

Not only do these small groups provide opportunity for unchurched people to be discipled, they also serve as opportunities for existing members who are emerging leaders to become small group facilitators. If you’d like to learn more about CrossRoad’s experience using these tools, email Jim.Valekis@gci.org. Also see GCI’s FaithTalk equipper website, which offers various resources that help congregations form small groups that are safe places where spiritually interested unchurched people are encouraged to discuss matters of faith.

Bogota church baptistry

GCI’s congregation in Bogota, Colombia used to conduct baptisms at a nearby swimming pool. However, this arrangement seemed inadequate. And so, the congregation constructed a new bautisterio (baptistry) in their church hall and inaugurated it recently with six baptisms. As shown below, their baptism service includes baptismal robes, immersion in the baptismal pool, prayer and a celebration breakfast.

On mission

Here is food for thought concerning our participation, through the Spirit, with Jesus in the Father’s mission to the world.

Some churches are taking their message to taverns. Click here for a thought-provoking article from USA Today.

Almost half of all American adults who are online use the Internet for religious purposes. 57% percent of online adults under age 35 use the Internet for religion, compared to 48% who are 35 to 49 years old, 36% who are 50 to 64, and 31% who are 65 or older. 69% of those who attend worship services once a month or more use the Internet for spiritual purposes, compared to 27% of those who do not attend worship regularly. Similarly, religious use of the Internet is 70% among people who read the Bible or another sacred text at least once a month, versus 28% among those who do not. Religious use of the Internet does not vary much according to which religious identity people claim. Protestants and Roman Catholics are equally likely to use the Internet for spiritual purposes, with the exception of evangelical Christians, where 91% who are online use the Internet for religious purposes. 27% of people who don’t attend religious services still use the Web for religious purposes, although not necessarily for spiritual purposes in the same way religious people do. (Grey Matter Research Consultants, 5/17/2012)

How do you sustain mission? Watch this short video from Verge Network:

http://youtu.be/xcKWGWAqe3Y

Death of Kayte Wolverton

We are saddened to learn that Kayte (Youngblood) Wolverton died on July 21 following a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She died in a hospice facility near Vancouver, Washington. She and her husband Monte had moved to the area a few years ago to be near their daughter Monika, their son-in-law Simon and granddaughter Annika.

Kayte, like her husband Monte, graduated from Ambassador College and then worked in publishing The Plain Truth magazine, first for Grace Communion International, then for Plain Truth Ministries.

Kayte is survived by Monte, her mother Esther, her stepfather John Livingston, her daughter Monika Spykerman, her son-in-law Simon, her granddaughter Annika, her foster daughter Gadiela Gallant with her husband Daniel and their children Kate and Matthew.

Cards may be sent to:

Monte Wolverton

18907 NE Cole-Witter Rd

Battle Ground, WA 98604-7563

Charles Shelton

Here is an update on the previous prayer requests for Charles Shelton.

Charles reports that he is doing much better – he preached in his congregation last Sunday! The cancerous soft tissue is shrinking and dissipating. The fluid around his lungs has reduced significantly. In other words, he is responding well to the chemotherapy. All are encouraged by his progress.

Charles now faces two more rounds of chemotherapy. Though each round sets him back a week or two, all is looking good. He appreciates all the prayers and support and asks that we continue to pray as he completes his treatment.

Cards may be sent to:

Charles Shelton

2674 Climax Rd

Orlando, KY 40460-8939