World Renewal International

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Funny How the Wind Blows

It was nice to join rest of the world that was not snowed in today. It took quite a bit of snow plowing to get the World Renewal offices ready for our staff to return tomorrow. I am thankful for neighbors and brothers in Christ who have those tractors with scoops to dig us out. Thanks!
Tonight was my radio show the Welcome Home Broadcast on 88.1 WJCF the Jesus First Network. Pastor Jack Holliday, my long time friend (seen in picture above) and prayer partner is the co-host of the two hour show that plays from 5-7pm on Thursday nights then again on Saturday mornings from 9-11AM. The show plays in central Indiana, south western Indiana and south eastern Illinois.

Jack and I have fun. Pastor Jack and I used to get together and pray when I was a teenager at the Friends Youth events. He was our school janitor when I was in high school and he secured a place for many of us to have devotions and prayer together each day before school. Later, Jack and his family left for Haviland, Kansas because he felt called to ministry. When he completed his undergraduate degree the school asked him to stay on as staff. When he completed his masters degree he became a part of the faculty. By that time I was his pastor and we had returned to being prayer partners. Jack took his first pastorate at the age of 50. God blessed and the church soon was full of spiritual newborn. Now, at age 70, he is the pastor of Anderson Friends Church and co-host of the Welcome Home Broadcast and my prayer partner again. Funny how the wind blows.

Tonight our theme was "the Cross" and so we talked, preached and played songs about the cross of Christ. It struck me as we were doing the show how we Christians struggle to communicate the message of the cross. We preach, teach, write poems and books, compose and sing songs all trying to get the message across. Often this is done under considerable effort and labor. It can be frustrating because we never seem to get it just right. It could always be more clear, more accurate or descriptive rhetoric. Yet we try so hard and fall so short! Nevertheless, at the same time it is a joy to try. The old hymn, "I love to tell the story" says it well. Funny how the wind of the Spirit blows, huh?

Did you know? The leaders of World Renewal have a goal of planting 200 churches in Brazil by 2020? We have planted 14 so we have 13 years to get the other 186. It is about multiplication and we see it happening. Why church planting? Studies show it is the best method to win people to Christ. I believe the nicest, kindest thing you can do in any community is to raise up a "Great Commission" type church. Thanks for stopping by today.

:: posted by Gary Wright, 8:52 PM