Francis Chan Event

While it was an immense amount of work planning for this event, it was one of my favorite projects I've been a part of since joining staff.  I worked with a great team planning the event and was a part of working with tech stuff, brainstorming new ideas, and networking with lots of people. (one of my favorite things in life).  The event was a great success and here is the official article on it. 

World Impact Wichita was honored to host Francis Chan for two special events November 3-4.  Francis has served on our national board for around ten years.

 

On November 3, Francis spoke at Central Christian Church. Around 2,700 people attended the event!  Francis shared his heart for the poor and challenged everyone to take the Bible literally. He said that it is often common for people to twist the message of the Bible to justify their own lifestyles. But, instead, they need to fully obey the message communicated in Scripture—to love and preach the good news to the poor. Dr. Keith Phillips, the president and founder of World Impact, gave an overview of our vision and ministry and then gave a challenge for people to be involved with caring for the poor.

The next morning, 300 pastors and leaders of local churches came to a breakfast hosted by Westlink Christian Church. Francis gave another powerful challenge to these leaders.

We praise God for the ways He moved in the hearts of people through these events.

Around 150 people expressed interest in learning more about World Impact. Fifteen people came to “Encounter World Impact” to learn more about specific ways to get involved with World Impact in Wichita. Generous givers allowed us to raise $35,000 that evening!

Here are some responses we heard from people after the event:

“Francis Chan really made us squirm in our seats tonight. Wait, we actually have to follow the Bible all the way? Very challenging. Thanks World Impact Wichita, and our friends Don Davis and Matt Penner for sharing this with Wichita and City Life Church. Kudos to Steve Brummer and Lee Lundgren for doing a great job with worship!”

“I was encouraged and convicted at the same time. A friend said it's like someone hugging you and punching you in the gut at the same time.”

“Heard Francis Chan speak last night. We went home to ask God, "Ok...now what?" and to continue as he (Francis) encouraged…to take the Bible more literally.”

“So glad I got to go last night to hear Francis Chan! Now the question is: what do I do about it?”

“Last week, after months of avoiding God, denying his calling, skipping church, etc. He broke through. What Francis said was not new or ground breaking to me. Instead, it was simply confirmation that I am being restored to ministry...a call that once issued is irrevocable. Oddly, 10 days ago I had received an email from my seminary about someone inquiring about my availability to help a church/youth group. I had ignored the email...until last Thursday night.”

Here's Bree reading in Spanish.

If Our God is For Us Tour Concert

Last night our family went to a great concert.  Christy Nockels is one of Angie's favorite female voices and, because of that, Bree loves Christy.  Whenever we are in the car making requests for the mp3 player, Bree asks for Christy Nockels. :)  Plus, we all sing Chris Tomlin songs at church - so last night was a special treat for our family.

We got to the concert at 5:30 and thought we'd be near the front, but there was already a line. Thankfully my dad and his friends were in the very front, and they invited us to join them. So when the doors opened we ended up getting 4th row seats!

We loved the whole concert.   What is so clear about the Passion movement is their absolute desire and focus to give God all glory and praise. That was completely evident last night.  We enjoyed hearing all the best Tomlin songs and especially a couple of numbers by Christy.  Louie Giglio had an amazing message from Psalm 148.  He showed how God had designed all of creation to worship him and how he invites our voice to be a part of that.  He had sounds from stars and whales. It was pretty amazing to hear those sounds that they are making all around us, and how God desires us to join in.

The kids faded and were tired the last 45 minutes but it was well worth it.  

Moody Here I Come

Tomorrow I will leave for 4 days of recruiting at Moody's Mission Conference. This is always one of the highlights of the year for me.  I absolutely love all things Chicago!! The buildings, the food (Pizza and Italian Beef), being on campus at Moody and staying with my good buddy Dave Palleson.

Moody has held a special place in my heart as I had great memories with Phil there.  Then with his passing a few years ago, it became even more special to be in Chicago.

This time I am taking my colleague, Andy Entz.  He has never been to Chicago or on a recruiting trip with me, so I am looking forward to introducing him to the list mentioned above!

During the days of the conference I will talk with students and teach in two different classes. Every night around 9, the students come by our booth after the last session and we talk and talk sharing about World Impact and urban missions.

I truly love meeting new people and sharing what God is doing in the city and with World Impact.

Please pray that God would lead me to talk with the right students.

Also pray for Angie as she is home alone with the kids.  

13

Today, Angie and I have been married 13 years.   As I reflect on that number, at times it feels like we've been married forever and yet it's hard to believe it's already been that many years.

In these past years we've grown up a lot together and experienced a lot.......

• births of Ethan and Bree
• planting a church and ups and downs in ministry
• incredible friendships
• death of a mom
• death of a brother
• 4 months in Costa Rica
• burnout
• spiritual and emotional healing
• weight gain and loss :)
• lots of laughter and inside jokes
• music and concerts

I am very aware that I married up.  Right before our wedding, my mom told Angie, "I tried, he's yours now."  I don't think she fully knew what my mom meant until a few years into marriage.  Recently at a staff gathering, when they heard it was our anniversary coming up, they all congratulated Angie in her perseverance!  Even though we all shared a great laugh, I knew there was some truth in that.

In this day of age where so many marriages fail even among Christians, I am so grateful we are still together, in love, growing close to Christ and each other.

I am more excited than ever about our family, our life, and where God has us in our marriage. I can't wait to see what is in store for us.

Thanks, Angie, for your perseverance!

Why Angie is Recording Music?

In the last two months, Angie has set up a studio in our basement and taken over my office.  (no I am not bitter about this, really,  I'm not. )

She is in the process of learning the ins and outs of the software and working out all of the bugs. She will hopefully start to actually record music in the next couple of weeks.

The purpose of the music is for our church planting.  In Wichita, our vision as a staff is to plant many churches among the poor.  We are working on developing resources that will assist in the planting of the churches.  One of those resources will be the music Angie is producing.

As we plant a church, if there isn't someone gifted to lead worship in the church, anybody can lead with the CD. Below is a few pictures of Angie in her studio.

Please pray for her as she records the music.   The project at times feels enormous and overwhelming to her.   Pray that this CD project would be truly used to help us plant churches here in Wichita and that through it people will be lead into the presence of God.

Why I "Tri"?

This past Sunday, I completed my first triathlon.  For the past 6 years, I have wanted to do one but only in the past year have I gotten serious about getting in shape.

The past 10 weeks, I took a tri class at our YMCA.  I had already been swimming, biking, and running, but in the class I was able to learn more about the sport and take my fitness to another level.  I have so much to learn and will need to increase my fitness a lot more in the future. But I feel great about where I am at now.

I am not sure what first attracted me to triathlons.  I often like to read stories about humans doing incredible feats and I think I was just intrigued with the thought of being in great shape and doing all three sports.

A couple of years ago, Lisa Entz, one of my leaders and co-missionaries suggested to me that I needed to be more competitive.  Growing up and all through college, I competed regularly in sports and mostly in tennis.  But in these last years, I haven't done much competing.  She suggested for my personality and overall health, that I need to compete.  She thought as I find something to compete in, that it will help me in other areas of my life.

I am seeing if triathlons are something that I can get into that can be my competitive outlet. This past Sunday I finally did my first one. It was a very small one and as I was finishing it, there were inner thoughts that were whispering, "Why in the world are you doing this?'

But I kept plugging away and was able to finish.  This summer, I plan to do a couple of tri's outside.  The first distance will be a Sprint, and the 2nd is a shorter version of an Olympic.   My goal someday is to think about doing a half Ironman, but for now I am taking it one race at a time and seeing how I enjoy it.

Here is a link to some pictures I posted on Facebook


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=341766&id=534216971&l=eb364e3ff3