World Renewal International

I am reminded today of D.L. Moody's words to his daughter as she stood by his death bed weeping, "Don't be sad. This is my coronation day, it is the day I have been waiting for!" Tele Moraes's father graduated to heaven yesterday, the memorial service is today.

Last December we, a World Renewal mission team to Brazil, were included by Tele Morae's family in the 90th birthday celebration for his father. It included not only family and friends but the community and church of his parents. I have been involved in many kinds of events but this one I will always remember.

The tables were decorated in a simple but elegant manner at Tele's parents home. There was music at the party, that is not unusual. However, mostly hymns were sung, that is different than most birthday parties I have attended. The town poet gave a wonderful history of Tele's father and family. There was awesome food and decorations, but that is not unusual. Our Frank Penna sang about Zacheus up in the tree, now that is different. There was lots of laughter, story telling and happiness. Tele's parents were the center of attention with special seats near the microphones and music instruments. The Community Church Pastor was the MC of the birthday event. Most of that seems fairly normal.

But how about that preaching? Preaching? Preaching at a 90th Birthday Party? Who preached? The only son of the birthday celebrator preached. Tele preached, and I mean he really preached. It was powerful, it was persuasive and it was a clear passionate call for family and friends who did not know Jesus Christ as their Savior to seize the moment of opportunity and give their hearts to Jesus. [picture of Tele preaching with his parents seated in front of him]

There were no apologies for doing this at dad's birthday gathering. It seemed the natural thing for this family to do. Tele's sisters and families were all part of this honoring the family patriarch, but Jesus Christ was constantly mentioned, sung about and honored. In many ways it was like a outdoor church service. What is was, was worship and honoring of the one who made it to 90 by a family who had fallen in love with Jesus Christ. It was such a remarkable event I have carried the program with me since just to be reminded of how much their lives mean to me.

Pray for the Moraes family, but pray for your and my families. Few families have embraced and been shaped by Jesus Christ as this one. Thanks for stopping by.