Seeing where God is at work and joining Him is always an essential part of Christian ministry. Jesus Is Our Salvation Church (JIOS) is certainly a church that lives by this. Founded in Surrey, this church has been composed primarily of immigrants from the Philippines, and always with the vision of planting more churches.
JIOS Surrey gave birth to New LIving Assembly in Chilliwack, and Pastor Noel (Lynda) Macasaet enjoyed Charlz and Ruth Sebastian sharing the ministry and leadership with them. Charlz and Ruth completed the LPD Church Planter Assessment, and have a heart to plant a church as God opened the door.
Over the past months, some people from Agassiz began attending New Living Assembly, and key among these are Steve and Edith Davies. They, as residents of Agassiz had been praying for a church in Agassiz, and in January of this year, JIOS Agassiz was birthed. This church plant comes with the blessing of New Living Assembly and the partnership of JIOS Surrey. Today, many of those from JIOS Surrey have integrated into other local congregations, so now their legacy will be to birth a new ministry and church in Agassiz.
Please pray for church planting pastor Charlz (Ruth) Sebastian and Steve (Edith) Davies, as they provide servant leadership to this new work. No sooner had they launched their services, than they have been forced to provide services online via Facebook – God is using these to reach a large audience.
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Leading LIke a Wolf?
While there are several word pictures to describe the role of pastor – shepherd, architect, servant, etc, “wolf” is not among them. Wolves in Scripture are associated with threats to God’s flock, false prophets and deception.
As I cycle to work each day, one of the things I look for are the wildflowers as I ride through Green Timbers in Surrey. Among my favourite are the lupines. These beautiful flowers are members of the “pea family,” and are known to flourish in harsh conditions.
The name “lupine” comes from the Latin, “lupus,” meaning “wolf,” and “lupine” can be the adjective “wolf-like.” Why does such a beautiful wildflower gain such a name?
Apparently, in early years, Europeans noticed that lupines grew on poor, rather barren soil where no other plants ventured. Assuming that lupines had robbed the soil of the nutrients other plants needed to survive, rather like a wolf robbing the fold, they referred to lupines as “wolf-like.”
The fact is, Lupine can live in such places because the bacteria in their roots remove nitrogen from the air, fix it inside the plant and supply nitrogen fertilizer that the soil lacks. They also have “funnel-like” leaves that collect rainwater and direct it straight to its roots where it is stored.
In reality, the lupine, rather than stealing nutrients from the soil, actually improves the soil, and brings benefit to the surrounding plants. It flowers and bears fruit where other plants do not because it draws life-giving nutrients from its roots where they are stored in abundance.
As it goes with the lupine, so it can go with both life and ministry. Why is it that some people and ministries flourish and bear fruit, while others seem to flounder and produce little to no fruit? By This, we are not referring to budget and attendance, but growing thriving disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jesus speaks of the importance of bearing fruit, and makes if clear that we are incapable of producing fruit by our own efforts and resources. Only by drawing on the life and strength of the true vine, Jesus Christ, can we produce fruit. (John 15). Our Lord has abundant resources for all who abide in Him and draw their strength from Him.
As leaders of churches, we can get caught up in the administration of programs and church organizations, and while this can be with the best of intentions, does this lead to the production of fruit? A recent study by LIfeway research found that per 100 church attendees, 67% of US churches had fewer than 10 people come to faith, and 35% had fewer than 5 new commitments per year: lifeway-research-church-growth-attendance-size
Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from the lovely lupine … Its fruit comes from when it draws from its roots that have an ample supply of water and nutrients for life and fruit.
I have been challenged as I have reflected on this, and on Wednesday evening, Karen and I joined nearly 100 people from Johnston Heights Church, for an introduction to volunteering with the Billy Graham Association, and their “Peace With God” online outreach. Karen and I have both “signed up,” and I invite you – and even challenge you to do the same thing!
Karen and I are going through the application and training process, and look forward, not only in engaging in the volunteer ministry with the Billy Graham Association, but also to being better equipped as witnesses to our neighbours and friends.
In this age of COVID-19, there is much discussion on organizational changes in local churches. But, how will you and I change as leaders? How will your ministry change? God is bringing a harvest – let’s join into the task.
I ask, what would happen if every LPD Pastor and leader invested in being better equipped to share Christ through training at this time – perhaps it would lead to a refocus of our energy and ministries in the season ahead. Will you join us?
Here are some important links to Billy Graham Association resources:
Search for Jesus Volunteer Training
https://searchforjesus.net/get-involved/
Peace With God – (gospel presentation online).
Seven Day Challenge to Share Your Faith
https://searchforjesus.net/share-with-others/
GOOD NEWS/IDEAS FROM SISTER CHURCHES!
As I speak with pastors and leaders in district churches, I am so thankful and impressed with what you are doing to minister in your context. No two churches are following the same “formula.” Each is adapting to its unique circumstances.
Upcoming Opportunities in the LPD
EFCC PRAYER MEETING – via ZOOM
Sunday, May 24, 1:30 PM
watch for the ZOOM link:
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LPD Pastor and Staff – Virtual Cruise
May 27, 9:30AM – 11:00AM
Plan to join with fellow pastors and leaders in a Virtual Pastor and Staff Cruise on Wednesday, May 27 – watch for the link and invitation in the weeks ahead – and save the date!
While we may not be able to travel together, we still want to meet!
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EFCC National Conference – Virtual
June 27, 2020
With COVID-19 response, we are unable to physically meet for EFCC National Conference this year. We will be meeting for an abbreviated conference on June 27. Here is a letter from George Budd, EFCC Board of Directors Chair:
Letter_from_the_Chairperson_of_the_EFCC_Board_of_Directors.pdf
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Coach’s Corner…
Don Cherry, move over…. I have invited Steve Sharpe, LPD Missionary of Church Planting and Development to share coaching insights for pastors, church leaders and church planters. This week, he writes on, “TRANSFORMATION: Impact on Church Life.” Here is the link: Transformation_8May2020.pdf
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Please remember all of our LPD Missionaries (and all missionaries) at this time. Here is the link to their information and how to support them:
LPD Missionaries
Dan and Sharon Williams (Osoyoos Project)
Steve and Gillian Sharpe (Missionary of Church Planting Development)
Jonathan and Harmony Ng (Inner City Ministry)
Noel and Lynda Macasaet (New Living Assembly)
Jorge and Emily Lin (Church of All Nations/”new”New West EFC)
Joshua and Nicole Fast (Priceless Youth Ministry)
Allen and Hannah Chang (Steveston Project)
Daniel and Joyce Wong (Steveston Project)
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Please pray for:
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We are excited and thankful for how God has led and called Henry and Kim Ngugi to serve with EFCCM, and we invite you to join in their prayer and support team. They trust to travel to Kenya to begin this ministry in September. Here is a link to their newsletter, “The Daily Move.”
Website:
