Good Friday morning from the LPD.
Last weekend, I was in three churches – all at different stages of their life and development, and it has made me think about generations of churches.
Scripture states, One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts… (Psalm 145:3-7)
Also in Scripture, 40 years represents one generation. The generation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt had to pass away before the people could enter the Promised Land
Sunday afternoon, I was at the “birth” of a new church – Grace EFC in Richmond. I recall meeting with the core team of people in January of 2013 – five people, including LPD Church Planting Missionary, Stephen Leung. God has been good. This work has grown, as it has reached out to Mandarin-speaking people in Richmond, TWU and Fort Langley. As of October 1, Grace EFC has called Pastor Stephen Leung and Pastor Bruce Li (Hannah) to be their pastors, and is now managing their own finances and leadership. We thank God for this work, for the people serving in it and for the fruitfulness through it. Pray that they do not lose their evangelistic zeal as they grow!
Sunday morning, I was with Vancouver Chinese EFC, as they celebrated their 40th anniversary. Planted by immigrants from Hong Kong, this church has reached out to a generation of Cantonese –speaking people and their children. Now, they embark on a new generation…
Rather sadly, as Vancouver Chinese EFC was planted in 1975, they purchased the building that had housed Bethel EFC, the first EFCC church in British Columbia. Planted by Pioneer Church Planter, Olai Urang in 1936, this church would be birthed, grow and die within one generation – 39 years. New pioneers came, and they birthed Vancouver Chinese EFC. Pray for a new generation of pioneers!
Bethel EFC in Vancouver was instrumental in the birth of New Westminster EFC in 1940. It was the vision of Olai Urang at Bethel EFC that led to the calling of church planting pioneers Bill and Jo Johnson. This church would in turn grow and thrive for their first generation and slowly decline over their second. Five years ago, as they were entering a pastoral search, I suggested that they either needed to call an “undertaker” to put the church to rest so that it could be replanted, or they needed to call a young pastor to reach a new generation. (At that point, I did not think that the young pastor would be our son Tim and his wife Emily). Please pray for New Westminster EFC, and for your church too, and please encourage and selflessly bless, pray for and pave the way for the next generation.
As I reflect on the stories of these churches and on Psalm 145, I ask.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord… Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
(Psalm 145:3-7,21)
Please note:
Pastor Nathan (Amber) Kinsey, of Quadra Island Bible Church, has been invited to join with a team from a MB church in Campbell River on a mission to India in late October. I am glad for this opportunity for Nathan to serve overseas and also to experience God’s work in another culture. For our information, I have attached a copy of a brochure describing the mission. If you are able, and it is on your heart to do so, donations to assist Nathan on this mission can be sent can be sent directly to him, or if you wish a receipt, send them to Discovery Community Church, with a note regarding India. The address is 250 10th Avenue, Campbell River, BC, V9W 4E3. Let’s pray for Nathan on this mission, and for Amber and family as he is away.
If you haven’t done so already, please check out the new LPD website with new photos each week. There are resources for you and your church, information on sister churches and LPD Churches of the Week. We also have introduced the PayPal option for giving to the ministry of our Lower Pacific District. Please see our new LPD website.
Please also see the attached Five Minutes on Friday, with news and prayer items from the LPD, and also see the attachment on Grace Community Church, our LPD Church of the Week feature this week.
Please note the following dates:
Here are some topics to be covered:
Dr. Christopher Yuan teaches the Bible at Moody Bible Institute and speaks around the globe on faith and sexuality. He speaks at conferences (such as InterVarsity’s Urbana, as well as the Moody Pastors’ Conferences and Men’s Conference), on college campuses and in churches (such as Saddleback Church and Willow Creek Community Church). He is featured in the award-winning documentary “HOPE Positive: Surviving the Sentence of AIDS,” and has co-authored a memoir with his mother – Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope. Christopher graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005, Wheaton College Graduate School in 2007 with a Master of Arts in Biblical Exegesis, and Bethel Seminary with a doctorate of ministry in 2014.
Please see this link for all the info and a brochure with instructions for registration.
Please note Islanders: We are planning to provide a simulcast at Central EFC in Courtenay. Please watch for details in the weeks ahead, and contact Pastor Ben Crumback of Sointula Community Church for details! (ben.crumback@gmail.com)
May God bless and keep you as you look to the Lord, trust him for his good work through the week ahead.
In Jesus,
Rob
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This year, as our Lower Pacific District assists in the birth and revitalization of churches, we also step out in faith with local churches through providing financial support and seed money. To this end, we appreciate the gifts of many district churches and also of individuals. You can participate through both cheques and online through PayPal at our website. See LPD website for more info.
