Missio CrossWay

Fall 09 - Exploring Christianity Wk. 8

2009-11-10T16:04:00.003-06:00

This Wednesday marks the final week of our fall Exploring Christianity series. God has been so faithful to bring non-Christians, to help us clearly proclaim and demonstrate the gospel, and I believe He has allowed much seed to fall on good soil. Thank you for praying for us, for our presentation of the gospel, and for God to change the hearts of those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

Last Wednesday

Last week the topic was, “What must I do to be saved?” and we spoke about the necessity of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. I had many encouraging comments about the clarity of last week’s talk and an anticipation for this week’s topic.

This Wednesday

This week is, “How can I be sure I am saved?” We find this to be a very critical talk for everyone, but especially for new Christians or Christians struggling with personal assurance.

For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ there are three reasons for assurance of salvation. (1) The finished work of Christ gives us assurance. (2) The promises of the word of God give us assurance. (3) The witness of the Holy Spirit gives us assurance.

The Assurance Scale

At the beginning of the outline for this week’s talk is an assurance scale. We ask everyone to rate their level of assurance on a scale of 1 to 10; 1 being a recognition they are not saved and 10 having no doubt that they are saved. How everyone marks the assurance scale is very revealing about where they stand spiritually with Christ. The results of this scale always become the center piece of the discussion that evening. It leads to questions like, “Why are you an eight?” or “What would it take to move you from a 6 to a 10?” or “What is the biggest factor that keeps you at a 7?”

Prayer for THIS Wednesday

Pray that everyone who has participated in the course would come for this final evening and that they would all hear the gospel.
Pray that God would use the teaching this week to give personal assurance of salvation where assurance is warranted.
Pray for those who have not yet repented and believed in Jesus Christ. Pray that after hearing the biblical basis for assurance that they would walk through the narrow gate of salvation.
Pray for those who have repented and believed, that they would take the next step in getting connected to our life as a church. Pray that the gospel seed fell on good soil.
Pray for the discussion group leaders, that they would help those who lack assurance to trust in the work of Christ, the word of God, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.
Continue to pray for the EC workers and children; that God would provided everything we need to care for the children and it would be done with great joy.
Pray for everyone serving, that through their service non-Christians would experience the love of Jesus and see the truth of the gospel.
Pray on this last evening the class would be able to encourage and express their gratitude to everyone who served in this Exploring Christianity.

The Wall: A Generation Later

2009-11-09T02:28:00.001-06:00

Dear All,

Our friend (Jim Southard) and other American, Polish, Romanian and Albanian co-laborers have put it together for us to share with you about God's mighty work in Eastern Europe. This video is a testimony of what God has done over the last two decades in many countries of Eastern Europe. SOLI DEO GLORIA!

The Wall: A Generation Later

David and Yulia Beatty

Renner Cup Proceeds Go to the Philippines

2009-11-08T12:00:00.006-06:00

On Friday, October 30 the Renner Cup was hosted at Indian Trail Stadium in memory of Renner Lehmann. The college-aged team won the tournament and the cup itself raised $2,005. We want to thank everyone who participated, served, and donated to the Renner Cup.

The proceeds of the Renner Cup are donated to a mission partner of CrossWay. This year the proceeds of $2005 will be sent to the Philippines to help with typhoon relief. Since Typhoon Ondoy wreaked havoc on the Philippines, a second less destructive typhoon also rolled through.

Paul Caampued recently wrote the following:

I am fine, although feeling a little heavy (I think I am emotionally affected by the current sufferings of many people). It could have been very difficult without the Lord's invitation to all those who are tired and heavy leaden to come to him. As I come to Him daily, the I find rest for my soul.

Yesterday, I and Arcy, together with Arman and his wife, Arlene went to distribute relief goods to the people affected by typhoon Santi that wrought havoc and destruction among the people living in the Pililia, Rizal along Laguna Lake area.

It brought more damaged than that of Ondoy in the terms of livelihood in the lake. Almost all fishpen, fish cages, fish traps, and baklads were destroyed. According to Benjie, the big fishing cabin with flatboat (one of the pictures I sent) that was summerged during tyohoon Ondoy was blown away without trace last Saturday. Benjie is familiar with the area because he used to work as fishpen supervisor before in that area.

The fish cage of the person we restock with 2,200 bighead fingerlings was destroyed. It's good that the 5,000 fingerlings were not delivered before the typhoon came, 280 bamboo poles were delivered yesterday. Benjie is supervising the rehabilitation activities we are doing with the fisherfolks.

Attached are some pictures of our relief distribution the other day. We distributed rice, noodles, sardines, and used clothings. may be it will take another 4 months before the the flood water in the lake will subside. In the, meantine, we encouraged the people in Bolobolo to plant root crops in the mountain side so that they something to harvest 4 to 6 months from now.

This Sunday, I will meet with the families of the church members in Bolobolo to discuss how can they work together to clear portion the mountain side where they can plant root crops. I have initial talks with the land owner last Sunday. I will also talk with Rudy, one of our Team members (who is an experienced highland farmer himself) if he can give some of his time to lead and assist the menfolk in the area to in correct along sloping land.

The funds from the Renner Cup will be use for the rehabilitation efforts. We call it Relief and Resource Development Fund. We can buy more nets and bamboo poles for some fishermen in the area we went to distribute relief goods yesterday.

Thank so much for your efforts in helping us.

Paul C. Caampued, Jr.

Report from North Africa Trip

2009-11-07T12:00:00.001-06:00

The North Africa team wants to thank everyone who lifted us up in prayer during the 1.5 weeks we were gone. We definitely felt the Lord’s hand guiding and empowering us as we served there. As we look back over the trip, it is only by the Lord’s grace that he allowed us to accomplish all that we did.

Physical Therapy Centers

We were able to work at two different handicap centers where they employ active physical therapy to help children regain movement and functionality. One of the centers we served in hadn’t had any outside training from physical therapists in over a year. During our time at these centers, we saw and examined over 75 children.

We were working alongside and helping train 7 different N. African women who serve at the physical therapy centers full-time. This training included general medical and specific therapy techniques. Children would be brought either by their mother or another female family member some who traveled over 2 hours one way for 1-1 ½ hours of treatment. Here are just a few examples of successful treatments:

A child sucking on a straw for the first time.A child be calmed and happy with a simulated swing for the first time.
A child tolerating standing therapy without crying by modifying the technique for the first time.
Giving hope to a mother that her child doesn’t need the expensive medical shoes recommended by the doctors in a very poor city.
Giving hope to a mother that her Down’s syndrome son may potentially be productive in life.

But the most reward and delight came with the smiles and kisses we received after a successful treatment! We learned the more kisses given the more endeared one was! We felt very special by weeks end by the number of kisses received! Our prayer was and is that everyone in the clinic felt the love of Christ through us.

English Language classes

We were also able to conduct two informal English classes (over tea) with 7 different students. These sessions were conducted with family members associated with the physical therapy centers. In order for these students to have any chance at a decent paying job, English is an essential skill.

During one of our classes, Patrick turned the discussion to spiritual matters by asking a question in Arabic from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Question 1 - “What is the chief end of man?”

Answer 1 - “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.”

This launched into an interesting discussion with one of our students, who vehemently disagreed with this statement.

“As a Muslim, he said, “our primary view of ourselves is as Allah’s servant. He is the Master, we are his servants. We don’t think of Allah in those terms.” He went on to recite from memory the 99 names of Allah – “The All-Compassionate”, “The All-Merciful”, “The Absolute Ruler”, “The Pure One”, “The Source of Peace”, “The Judge”… He was able to rattle off about 20-30 or so of them with the help of his friends.

This comes from Muhammad who is reported to have said in a famous hadith:

“Verily, there are ninety-nine names of God, one hundred minus one. He who enumerates [and believes in them and the one God behind] them would get into Paradise.”

It was a fascinating insight into Islamic belief system that pictures God as being totally set apart from humanity. So, images like God as Father or Bridegroom that portray God’s closeness and intimacy with mankind are considered ludicrous or blasphemous to a Muslim. It really makes you grateful for the intimacy and nearness that we experience with God! All made possible by God through the sending of his very own Son, Jesus Christ, who died as a sacrifice for our sins to restore our relationship with God. Praise the Lord!

Stay tuned for more to come next week including…

Visiting the Qualyes future location & meeting their team-leaders
Sharing with a local N. African business leader
Getting to know the Havens & Garcias (long-term workers)

Exclusivism is Largely Rejected Today!

2009-11-06T11:41:00.007-06:00

Gone are the days when you can say, “Jesus Christ is the only way to an eternal relationship with God.” Anyone who claims Jesus is the only way – like me – is labeled as intolerant. Of course, tolerance has nothing to do with my views but how I hold my views. And of course, those who label me intolerant are intolerant of my position.

Dissonant Voices

I just finished Harold Netland’s excellent book, Dissonant Voices, in which he defends Christian exclusivism in a world of religious pluralism. Netland defines exclusivism like this,

“…the position which accepts as the basis for its view of other religions the following four propositions: (a) Jesus Christ is the unique Incarnation of God, fully God and fully man; (b) only through the person and work of Jesus Christ is there the possibility of salvation; (c) the Bible is God’s unique revelation written, and thus is true and authoritative; and (d) where the claims of Scripture are incompatible with those of other faiths, the latter are to be rejected as false.” –page 34.

Of course, Christian exclusivism does not claim that every claim of all other religions are false or even that Christians can’t learn anything from other religions. At the heart of Christian exclusivism is the claim that Jesus is the only way to God.

Why is it rejected?

Netland helpfully identifies seven reasons why Christian exclusivism is rejected today. I outline these reasons because it is helpful for us to be aware of why people rejected – and why some Christians may be tempted to reject – the claim that Christ is the only way.

The unprecedented exposure people in the West have to people of other faiths. In our own community we live and work with Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, and Jehovah’s Witnesses just to name a few. Those who hold differing beliefs are no longer just overseas, but they are right next door. Living near and working with such normal and moral people raises doubts about the exclusivity of Christ.
The pervasive influence of skepticism about religion during the twentieth century. This is largely influenced by the academy and institutions of higher learning. Over the past century, any claim that God has definitively revealed Himself in one religion to the exclusion of others is viewed with a high degree of skepticism, scorn, and mocking.
The growing influence of relativism when it comes to truth. This too is due to the influence of the academy. The prevailing mantra is that truth is relative. All people have access to the truth and what is true for you does not have to be true for me. All religions have access to the truth and therefore access to God.
The tendency today to make a sharp distinction between the public realm of facts and the private world of values, opinions, and preferences. We have all experienced this. The public realm of facts is the truth that can be proven by science. Religious beliefs cannot be proven by science, therefore quests of truth and falsity cannot be applied to religion. Your beliefs are a private and personal matter.
The pragmatic view of religion which minimizes questions of truth and falsity and emphasizes instead what religion does for its adherents. This reason simply looks at the pragmatics of different religious beliefs and doesn’t question the truthfulness of those beliefs. If their religion helps them live and cope in a complex and hard world, then it is good for them.
The view that there is something necessarily arrogant and intolerant about holding that one religion is true, and that those incompatible with it are false. This thinking says we live in an increasingly global community and we need to get along with people from other cultures and religions, therefore we accept their religious beliefs as true. Of course we should never be arrogant or intolerant, but that has nothing to do with truth.
The growing acceptance – even within Christian circles – of the doctrine of soteriological universalism. This is simply the belief that all people, regardless of religious affiliation or belief will experience God’s salvation in the end.

Netland goes on to show that it is logically impossible for all paths to lead to God. There are major differences along major lines of belief, beginning with even the concept of God and the afterlife. Jesus own claim is that He alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. If there are many roads to God, what do we make of Christ?

Fall 09 - Exploring Christianity Wk. 7

2009-11-03T15:18:00.004-06:00

We are nearing the end of our winter Exploring Christianity series. Thank you for partnering with us in prayer. The next two Wednesday’s are key messages in our series – “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” and “How Can I Be Sure I Am Saved?”

Last Wednesday

Last week we answered the question, “What EXACTLY is the Gospel” by presenting four pictures of the gospel from the New Testament. Attendance was up from the prior week but there are still several people missing. Please pray that those who have not yet placed their faith in Christ would come this week and there would be genuine repentance and faith.

This Wednesday

This week I am speaking on “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” I tell them three things. (1) Turn to Jesus in repentance. Here I stress they’re turning from sin and it involves a forsaking sin for the sake of Christ. (2) Trust in Jesus. Here I try stress that the object of their faith must be Jesus Christ. He is the one who saves them. (3) Talk to Jesus by asking him to forgive you for your sin on the basis of Jesus Christ and His life, death, and resurrection. It is a very simple but a very clear message.

Preaching the “Cost” of Following Christ

The last few EC series we have been doing a better job of preaching that there is a “cost” to follow Jesus. J.C. Ryle, in his chapter on “The Cost” in his book HOLINESS talks about the necessity of telling unbelievers about the cost of following Jesus.

“Press them to consider their ways. Compel them with holy violence to come in, to lay down their arms, and to yield themselves to God. Offer them salvation, ready, free, full, immediate salvation. Press Christ and all his benefits on their acceptance. But in all your work tell the truth, and the whole truth. Be ashamed to use the vulgar arts of a recruiting sergeant. Do not speak only of the uniform, the pay, and the glory; speak also of the enemies, the battle, the armor, the watching, the marching, and the drill. Do not present only one side of Christianity. Do not keep back ‘the cross’ of self-denial that must be carried, when you speak of the cross on which Christ died for our redemption. Explain fully what Christianity entails. Entreat men to repent and come to Christ; but bid them at the same time to ‘count the cost.’”

Prayer for THIS Wednesday

Pray for the teaching this Wednesday – pray for clarity, faith, conviction, and a strong call for those listening to repent and believe in Jesus.
Pray for those who have not yet repented and believed in Jesus Christ. Pray that after considering the cost they would walk through the narrow gate this Wednesday night.
Pray for those who have repented and believed in Jesus Christ; pray that their faith would prove genuine and God would give them assurance of their salvation.
Continue to pray that God would bring people back to hear the gospel on Wednesday, even when the gospel appears to be foolishness.
Pray for the discussion group leaders, that they would be bold in encouraging individual members of their group to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
Continue to pray for the EC workers and children; that God would provided everything we need to care for the children and it would be done with great joy.
Pray for everyone serving, that through their selfless and joyful service non-Christians would experience the love of Jesus and see the truth of the gospel.

Bobby & Hope - New Year's Departure

2009-11-01T16:02:00.003-06:00

Hello Faithful Supporters,

We want to let you know how much we really appreciate your dedication to pr@yer and good counsel concerning our departure date.

We have been considering what it means to leave well with both sets of family and our friends. As we have pr@yed about a date, we just didn't feel like we had peace about leaving in Nov, only a few days before Thanksgiving. Our second window, Dec 8, would put us in the country three weeks before Christmas. That didn't feel quite right either. We felt that leaving after the holidays would help to bring closure and needed time together with our families and friends. In addition, leaving on the high note of a sweet celebration of His birth will be such motivation to serve Him who came and is coming again.

Lastly, waiting until after the first of the year would allow us another full month to increase our support level. We anticipate a full schedule in November and the first weeks of December as we will be talking in care groups and meeting with individuals. Thank you so much to those who have graciously hosted us. We appreciate your love.

Thank you to all and with much gratitude,

Bobby and Hope

09 Renner Cup - This Friday!

2009-10-28T14:40:00.008-05:00

The 2009 Renner Cup is this Friday, October 30 at Indian Trail Football Stadium from 5:00-8:00 p.m. rain, sun, or snow. The Renner Cup sponsored by members of CrossWay and is a fund raiser in memory of Renner Lehmann.

The proceeds go to support CrossWay’s mission partners. This year the proceeds will go to support relief efforts from Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines. Our partners in the Philippines, Paul Caampued and his leadership team, are caring for victims of Typhoon Ondoy who lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.

The Renner Cup is a round-robin soccer tournament between CrossWay members, CrossWay youth, CrossWay Milwaukee, and an adult soccer team in Kenosha. You can participate in the Renner Cup either by playing on one of the soccer teams, or coming as a spectator to support this event, or by volunteering in some capacity.

Admission to the event is FREE, however donations are accepted. Suggested donations are $25 per adult and $10 per child, however any donation will be accepted.

Volunteers are needed to bake goods for the bake sale. You can volunteer to bake goods by contacting Linda Mulkey. Volunteers are also needed to man the concessions and gate. You can volunteer here by contacting Jason Rossell.

Chad & Charity Safely Home!

2009-10-28T11:14:00.002-05:00

We received this quick note from Chad & Charity and a very specific prayer request. Let us evidence our partnership with them by faithfully praying for them.

Dear Family & Friends,

Just a very short note to let you all know that after 3 plane rides, a 15 hour train ride, and two taxi rides we (and all our luggage) arrived safe and sound in River City. We are grateful to our kind Father who gave us safe and hassle-free travels all the way.

Here are a few of the highlights: Our bags were the last ones off the carousel but they did come. Chad had a cough but... we still didn't get quarantined for the H1N1 Virus. We had a 11:06 flight out of Minneapolis but arrived in time to be hustled onto the 10:06 flight. Though we were unable to get seat assignments online before traveling, we were given two seats alone in an exit aisle on the bulk head (with lots and lots of leg room for the long trip)!

Chad spent most of today criss-crossing L-pura looking for a place to rent, while Charity stayed busy criss-crossing the entire city learning her way around. Both of us were out in the neighborhood tonight looking for possible places to live. Your prayers for just the right place are much appreciated. It feels like a God-sized task, but that is okay. He is able.

glad to be here,
Chad & Charity

Fall 09 Exploring Christianity - Wk 6

2009-10-27T16:47:00.005-05:00

Our hope in saving sinners is in the sovereignty of God who alone can unveil the mind of unbelievers so they can see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Scripture’s clear testimony is that the gospel is veiled to some and revelation to others. All of this is from the sovereign hand of God.

I am currently in the Book of Acts and my faith is sustained by this testimony of God’s illuminating and saving grace. Here is what I read today in Acts 17.

And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ." And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. -Acts 17:2-4

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. -Acts 17:11-12

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this." So Paul went out from their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. -Acts 17:32-34

Of course there were those who rejected the gospel and persecuted Paul for his teaching. That too is according to the sovereign plan of God. Our desire is that we continue to hold forth the truth trusting that God will use the gospel to open the hearts and minds of unbelievers.

Last Wednesday

Thus far people have heard of their inability to earn God’s favor, that God is sovereign, and holy, and just, and loving, that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, that Jesus Christ came into the world as the Son of God to save sinners, and that salvation is available to sinners because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Attendance was down last Wednesday. I’m not sure if that’s an indication of drop-off, or of the flu virus, or due to last week’s Tremper versus Bradford High School football game. Most likely it’s a combination of all of the above. Please pray that God would keep people healthy, remove barriers to their attendance, and bring them back this Wednesday.

This Wednesday

This Wednesday we are looking at four reasons why the gospel is good news. First, it offers freedom from slavery to sin and its consequences. Second, it offers cleansing from sin so that we can enter into the presence of God. Third, it offers forgiveness from sins so that you can be counted “not guilty” in the site of God. Fourth, it offers reconciliation with God.

Prayer for THIS Wednesday

Pray for clarity, understandability, and illumination for this Wednesday’s message. Pray that God would unveil the gospel and let them see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
Continue to pray that God would continue to bring people back to hear the gospel on Wednesday and that He would bring back those who did not come last Wednesday.
Pray for health. Many people are getting the flu. Some of my discussion group leaders our sick. Pray for health for the guests and workers.
Continue to pray for the new birth; that God would supernaturally breath spiritual life into those who are dead in their trespasses and sins.
Continue to pray for the EC workers and children; that God would provided everything we need to care for the children and it would be done with great joy.
Pray for everyone serving, but especially the discussion group leaders and helpers, that they would be used by God as His ambassadors. Pray that they would demonstrate the love of Jesus, pray that they would know when and how to answer questions, pray that God would give them spiritual eyes to see what is behind every question, pray for a combination of faith, patience, gentleness, and boldness. Pray that God would make His appeal through them; be reconciled to God!

Fall 09 Exploring Christianity - Wk 5

2009-10-20T12:00:00.004-05:00

I am aware, from my limited human perspective, that we are running out of time. Okay, I know God is sovereign and His timing is perfect, but I feel a sense of urgency because this Wednesday is week five. After Wednesday, we have only three weeks remaining. These verse came to mind,

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. -2Corinthians 4:3-4

I know this is true, but I feel this on Wednesday nights. I feel the gospel is veiled. I feel Satan has blinded their minds. He wants to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. But I also feel that the gospel is slowly being unveiled. I don’t think any guests have stopped coming; at least there hasn’t been any sizeable drop-off. In fact, if anything, I sense an eagerness to understand, and see, and know this God-man called Jesus. So please pray, pray that God would unveil the gospel and allow the light of the gospel to shine brightly in their hearts.

Last Wednesday

We have reached the half-way mark of EC. Thus far people have heard of their inability to earn God’s favor, that God is sovereign, and holy, and just, and loving, that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and that Jesus Christ came into the world as the Son of God to save sinners.

The group I sat in had at least four, maybe six unbelievers. Their questions were good. The big question of the night was,

“What about those who never hear about Jesus Christ? Is doesn’t seem fair that those who never hear are condemned.”

The problem is our sin. Unbelievers are not condemned because they haven’t heard or believed, but because they have sinned against a holy God.

This Wednesday

This Wednesday we are looking at Jesus and asking the question, “The Cross: Triumph or Tragedy?” Our answer is that the cross is God’s glorious triumph because of Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection. I will talk about his perfect life, his substitutionary death, and his life-giving resurrection that uniquely qualifies Jesus as the unique Savior. This is the densest of the EC talks, so pray that God would give me the words to speak clearly and understandably by the power of the Holy Spirit so that those who would not otherwise understand will understand and believe in Him.

Prayer for THIS Wednesday

Pray for clarity, understandability, and illumination for this Wednesday’s message. Pray that God would unveil the gospel and let them see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
Continue to pray that God would continue to bring people back to hear the gospel on Wednesday and that He would bring back those who did not come last Wednesday.
Pray for health. Many people are getting the flu. Some of my discussion group leaders our sick. Pray for health for the guests and workers.
Continue to pray for the new birth; that God would supernaturally breath spiritual life into those who are dead in their trespasses and sins.
Continue to pray for the EC workers and children; that God would provided everything we need to care for the children and it would be done with great joy.
Pray for everyone serving, but especially the discussion group leaders and helpers, that they would be used by God as His ambassadors. Pray that they would demonstrate the love of Jesus, pray that they would know when and how to answer questions, pray that God would give them spiritual eyes to see what is behind every question, pray for a combination of faith, patience, gentleness, and boldness. Pray that God would make His appeal through them; be reconciled to God!

Bound for South Asia

2009-10-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

Chad & Charity sent this Email today. They fly out on Tuesday. Please keep them in your prayers.

Dear Friends & Family,

This will be short: We covet your prayers as we fly out of Minneapolis this Tuesday (Oct 20th), bound for River City. Please pray for grace to abound to us (not that there is ever a moment in time when it does not!), as we make this transition. Thank you.

Recently we read Romans 5:2 together. It says:

"Through (Christ) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

As we go, we rest in the knowledge that we have access to our Father's infinite storehouse of grace, in which we stand (his grace is under us, over us, and all around us!). Though it is hard to say goodbyes, we (because of the grace in which we stand) rejoice in hope of the glory of God being manifested among the Weaver people.

These last weeks have been busy with travel and goodbyes to friends and family. Know of our love and gratitude for you who are partnering with us through your prayers, your giving and your encouragement. We are keenly aware we could not be doing this apart from your partnership with us.

Thank you!
in our gracious King,
Chad & Charity

Typhoon Relief for the Philippines

2009-10-18T12:00:00.001-05:00

The CrossWay Leadership Team recently approved a $2,000 gift to be sent to the Philippines to help with Typhoon relief. Paul Caampued sent back this Email.

By God's grace, we were able to help 4 fishermen from Kinagatan, Binangonan, Rizal to purchase a second hand net and some bamboo poles to make a fishtrap to catch fingerlings to restock their cages. They work cooperatively to put up a 'baklad'. I told them to divide the fingerlings among themselves so that they can have someting to start anew.

According to them they had already catched about 1,000 pieces of bighead fingerlings (about 2 to 3 fingers in size) and about 15 kilos of tilapia fingerlings. They will need about 50,000 pieces of bighead fingerlings and about 500 kilos of tilapia fingerlings.

The US$ 2,000 gift from CrossWay is a great help. We can purchase for them more nets for 'baklad, closed and open cages, bamboo poles, and fishfry. We will be able to assist in repairing their boats. One of them lost his boat. They can also buy 'tilapia breeders' so they can speed up restocking their cages with tilapia. And may be repair 1 fish cabin for their common use.

With these help, I'm very sure they will know that there is God and there are people who care and are willing to share their resources to help other people. The pastors working in the area will surely be happy with this assistance for their church members.

I have discussed with them the idea of producing their own fish feeds (one pastor who have attended PTC seminars know how to make feeds and had share the 'technology' with me). They were very excited about the idea. We also had some discussions about the possibility of making fish paste and paste sauce using portion of their catch. The idea made them really hopeful because this will be 'land based' livelihood that heir wives can do to augment their income. It takes 4 to 6 months to produce fish paste and fish sauce.

Jeff Taclas had received some help from us and from other friends. I will visit him today to see what materials need to be bought or maybe replace small appliances that were destroyed by the flood.

Please tell the CrossWay leadership team of our sincere thanks and appreciation of their genuine love and concern to help others.

Paul

The above picture is from The Boston Globe. You can see some great photographs that capture the effects of Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines at The Big Picture.

Missio Dei

2009-10-17T12:00:00.002-05:00

One of the dangers of trying to define your church as a missional church is the danger of reductionism. The danger of reductionism is to over-simply or over-emphasize an idea that you end up obscuring or distorting the true meaning.

The Church

If we were to say the church is primary missional in its nature would capture one of the primary purposes of the church, but it would also distort a more comprehensive understanding of the church’s identity and purpose. The church is not only to be a people sent out into the world, but it’s also supposed to be a worshipping community and a sanctifying community.

CrossWay

So I would never say we are primarily a missional church. I believe missional is one characteristic that we want CrossWay to be known by. Not just missional, but definitely, and clearly, and intentionally missional – biblically defined.

Missio Dei

So where do we start with trying to define what we mean by missional? Like all other doctrines, we start with God. More specifically, we start with the mission of God – Missio Dei. A missional church is a church that exists for the Missio Dei.

What is the Mission of God?

The mission of God is to redeem a people from every tongue, tribe, and nation. The mission of God is to save a lost and destitute people for His own glory. The mission of God is to rescue sinners through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the praise of His name. The mission of God is to see Revelation 5:9-10 fulfilled.

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

A Missional Church

A missional church sees herself as existing primarily for God’s glory, and to make God known, and to magnify God’s name to all peoples, cultures, and nations of the world. She exists not for her own name, or comfort, or prosperity, but for the mission of God. A missional church sees all of her resources as belonging to God and for the mission of God. She views the world through the lens of God, His glory, and His mission to the praise of His name alone.

Missional, Mission-Minded, or Missionary?

2009-10-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

Church trends make me suspicious; very suspicious. For me, most church trends often feel like marketing or church growth gimmicks. How can we sound trendy? How can we market ourselves better? How can we appeal to more consumers? Thirty days of this, that, and the other and soon your diluting the truth of the gospel. I would much rather lose size before I lose the gospel.

Missional Church

The word missional appears to be one of those church trends. Every church wants to be a missional church. So what’s my natural reaction? Not me. Not CrossWay. In fact, the word has been so broadly used that it’s lost all of it’s meaning. You no longer know what someone means when they say they are a missional church.

What Does Missional Mean?

Does that mean they have a missions program? Are they seeker sensitive (another trend!)? Are they a church planting church? Are they a cell group church (yet another…)? Do they not like to invest in the people of their local church? Or is it just a cool word that we need to include somewhere in our marketing material?

Mission-Minded

Maybe instead of missional we should be talking about being mission-minded? Yet, for me, that’s insufficient. To be mission minded means you like to think about missions without it requiring you to actually do anything. The word missions speaks of action.

Missionary

A missionary is a sent-one. One who is sent into the world to tell others of Jesus Christ. Usually this includes cross-cultural work. Often this includes being sent to a people outside of your immediate geographic context.

A Biblical Perspective

Yet I think there is something good about the word missional. There is definitely something great about the biblical idea of a missional church. But what exactly does the Bible mean by missional. I would like to take some time over the next several weeks to think about what it means to be missional, from a biblical perspective.

Philippines - 3rd Quarter 2009 in Review

2009-10-15T12:00:00.005-05:00

Rainy season in the Philippines starts in July and usually ends in October. These are also called typhoon months in our country.

The PTC Training Team was able to conduct 14 seminars for this quarter. Two of these seminars were in done in partnership with Christian Growth Ministries (CGM).

Leadership Training among the members of the PTC Training Team was conducted in the unfinished PTC Center. Importance of Doctrine in Daily Life was conducted in rest house in Bgy. Kinagatan, Binangonan, Rizal. Basic Principles of Bible Exposition, and Interpreting God’s Word with Clarity were held at Life Gate Baptist Church in Kalibo, Aklan.

Historical Principles of Bible Interpretation was held as part of the 15th Pastoral Care Conference of the Christian Growth Ministries in JABEZ Campsite, Palapala, Dasmarinas, Cavite (this conference was run and sponsored by CGM). Leader’s Personality & Attitude Improvement was held at Subay Assemblies of God in Subay, Cardona, Rizal. Mastering the Basics of Bible Exposition was held at Jesus International Ministries in Boboin, Infanta, Quezon.

Orderly Installation of Church Leaders was held at Church of the Good Shepherd in Sibulan, Polillo, Quezon. Fundamental Skills of Doing Bible Exposition was held at IEMELIF Reform Movement in Parang, Bagac, Bataan. Essentials of Expository Preaching and Mastering the Basics of Bible Exposition were held in Culasi Christian Church in Culasi.

Basic Principles of Bible Exposition was held at Cabano Fundamental Baptist Church in Canabo, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Guimaras. Leader’s Personality & Attitude Improvement was held at Central Philippines Baptist Bible College in San Fernando, Buenavista, Guimaras. Importance of Background in Bible Interpretation was held at Jesus Christ the Deliverer in Cauayan, Isabela (this seminar was conducted in partnership with Christian Growth Ministries).

PTC Training Team:

Benjamin Mallari’s training in London Theological Seminary (LTS) was put on hold indefinitely. LTS has not yet been granted an authorisation from the Home Office of the British government to issue letters for visa. This is a new requirement for institutions accepting foreign students.

Andres (Andy) Navarra was the latest addition to the PTC Training Team. Andy opted for early retirement in his job with the Department of Education to work as fulltime pastor in a church. He has been a regular attendee of PTC seminars in Kalibo, Aklan. Andy was one of those who were trained as facilitator in September 2007. He requested to be enlisted as regular seminar facilitator. He joined me in Guimaras early this month.

PTC Center:

Wood planks were used as flooring for the mezzanine at the ground floor. A wooden bed, a dresser, and 2 cabinets were also made.

The bridge along Marcos Highway about 700 meters to the PTC Center was destroyed during the typhoon last Saturday, September 26. Rainy season in the Philippines starts in July and usually ends in October. These are also called typhoon months in our country.

Caampued Family:

Arcy is very much involved in teaching young mothers. Marichu still works in the children’s orphanage. Paul III is writing his thesis and working as part time lecturer in a college.

Praise items

1. Thank God for enabling us to do all these seminars.

2. Praise God for the timely arrival of the boat that rescued me and 2 others at the height of the fury of typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana).

Prayer items

1. Pray for the people affected by typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) that they will focus their hearts and minds to the Lord.

2. Pray for the PTC Training Team as we will meet to discuss 2010 program of activities.

3. Pray for finalization of the theme and topics to be discussed during the PTC 10th Annual Ministers Conference in April 2010.

4. Pray that London Theological Seminary will be granted by British government to issue letter to support visa for foreign students.

5. Pray for my son, Paul III that he will be able to finish writing his thesis and defend it, and tht he will graduate in June 2010.

Paul C. Caampued, Jr.

Pray for the North Africa Team

2009-10-14T14:58:00.014-05:00

When it comes to missions, John Piper groups Christians into three categories. You are either a GOER, a SENDER, or DISOBEDIENT. His point is that all Christians are to be involved in God's mission to call a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. As a church, let us be faithful senders as this team heads to North Africa tomorrow.

They will depart from O'Hare tomorrow, arrive in North Africa on Saturday, and arrive back in the United States on October 25.

Primary Purpose of the Trip

The primary purpose of the trip is to demonstrate the love of Jesus by providing practical care for the disabled and their families. Many disabled people in North Africa are social outcasts, they receive little or no physical care, and are often an unwanted burden to thier families. By showing them the love of Jesus, our ultimate hope is that they place their trust in Jesus as thier Savior.

The Pool of Bethesda

It reminds me of the invalid that Jesus healed near the pool called Bethesda in John 5. By the pool was a multitude of invalids - blind, lame, and paralyzed. The man Jesus healed had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed, he responded by saying,

"Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me." John 5:7

He was an outcast with all the other invalids. The pool called Bethesda was a gathering point for those who rejected by society because of their physical handicaps. North Africa is largely a place like that.

Secondary Purposes of the Trip

The team will also train workers at two childrens' thereapy centeres in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and general health. There is a great need for training and help in this area. Their desire is to encourage those who are doing this locally and to be a means of God's grace to them.

Prayer Requests

They have asked that we pray for them along the following lines. Pray...

That our motivation would be to glorify God and that there would be opportunities to witness for Christ.
That we would assume a posture of humility, to learn as well as teach.
That we would be patient, united in purpose, and adaptable to changing situations.
For government support of physical therapy, special education services, and other support systems for the disabled.
That God would continue to raise up willing and effective workers.

Fall 09 Exploring Christianity - Wk 4

2009-10-13T15:32:00.003-05:00

We continue to be both encouraged by your prayers and recognize our dependence on your prayers. We are increasingly aware of some very desperate, painful, and needy situations at Exploring Christianity. We need you to pray that God would bring forgiveness, and reconciliation, and healing, and hope into these situations. We are very grateful for your partnership in the gospel.

Last Wednesday

Last Wednesday was week three and we over 100 people seated at tables for the talk. I spoke on “What’s The Big Deal With Sin” and very clearly and unapologetically spoke about our rebellion against God. Thus far we have talked about how no one can earn their way to heaven, how God is sovereign, and holy, and just, and loving, and how we are all sinners in need of a Savior.

Several Encouraging Comments

There were several encouraging comments in talking with people. One person said, “After tonight I realize that man cannot fix my problems.” Another person said that she had not be to church in 17 years. Another one is looking for healing after a series of bad decisions. These are just representative of the situations that people find themselves in when they come to EC. We need your prayers.

This Wednesday

This Wednesday we are looking at Jesus under the title “Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?” We are going to look at what Jesus thought about Himself and ask the question in our title. We are going to look at how Jesus’ teaching centered on Himself, how his indirect claims to be God were rooted in his claim to forgive sins, judge the world, and give eternal life. We will also look at His direct claims to be God.

We then look at the evidence to support His claim to be divine: the evidence of his work, his character, his fulfillment of prophecy, and his resurrection.

Besides our on-going prayers for God to bring non-Christians back every Wednesday and for us to clearly communicating the gospel while demonstrating the love of Jesus, we have two basic prayer requests this week.

Pray for the New Birth

First, pray for the new birth. At the 2009 Desiring God Conference for Pastors, John Piper presented a biographical sketch of George Whitefield. In it, Piper spoke about how Whitefield’s experience of the new birth affected his preaching.

This means that Whitefield’s acting—his passionate, energetic, whole-souled preaching—was the fruit his new birth, because his new birth gave him eyes to see “life and light and power from above.” He saw the glorious facts of the gospel as real. Wonderfully, terrifyingly, magnificently real. This is why he cries out, “I will not be a velvet-mouthed preacher.”
The new birth had opened his eyes to what was real, and to the magnitude of what was real: God, creation, humanity, sin, Satan, divine justice and wrath, heaven, hell, incarnation, the perfections of Christ, his death, atonement, redemption, propitiation, resurrection, the Holy Spirit, saving grace, forgiveness, justification, reconciliation with God, peace, sanctification, love, the second coming of Christ, the new heavens and the new earth, everlasting joy. These were real; overwhelmingly real to him. He had been born again. He had eyes to see.

The new birth completely changed Whitefield’s perspective. It gave him eyes to see things he would not otherwise see, and ears to hear things he would not otherwise hear, and a mind to understand things he would not otherwise understand. Please pray that God would grant the new birth to many non-Christians this Wednesday night, or next Wednesday, or the Wednesday after – anytime, just pray that God would grant them the new birth.

Pray for Explorer Kids

Second, pray for Explorer Kids. Pray that we would enough workers to care for all of the children, especially the younger children that require more attention. Pray that the workers will be filled with joy, patience, gratitude, care, and energy to demonstrate the love of Jesus to those children. Pray that the CrossWay kids would be a positive influence on our guest’s children. Pray that God would provide everything we need to care for these children, that the workers would serve joyfully, and that God would be glorified in all things.

Pray for the Philippines

2009-10-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

I remember the first time I traveled to the Philippines. Paul Caampued took me to visit his birth place and family. We traveled in a very small boat through many fish farms and fishing cabins where the fishermen live. It was picturesque.

Typhoon Ondoy destroyed many of those fish farms and fishing cabins, thereby destroying the livelihood of those fishermen. Paul Caampued and some of his team members have been working with the fishermen of Subay, Cardona. They have been trying to come alongside of them and help them repair their nets, rebuild their fish pens and cabins, and restock their fisheries.

Here is the latest news from Paul Caampued.

Initially, there was coordination with the municipal officials of Cardona, Rizal for a census of the affected families in Subay. The municipal government will provide some assistance to the fisherfolks in the area.

I talked to some fishermen in 3 barangays where pastors attending PTC training are pastoring. They need some assistance in buying nets (even second hand nets) and bamboo poles so that they can rebuild their fish pens.

Some need assistance in small capital to purchase fish fry for their fish cages and fish pens. I have talked to one fry supplier and negotiated in behalf of the fishermen. An agreement was reached between them. The supplier will provide the fishermen with fish fry without a down payment. Payment will be made when the fry are grown to fingerlings (about 3 months).

The pastor in Subay gives us a room to stay every time we come to teach the PTC Training Course. Our primary role here has been to dialog with people and pastors to see on how the affected fisherfolk church members could work cooperatively to start anew. We had helped forge an agreement among some people in Subay, Kinagatan, and Calubacan.

We could have done more dialog but Benjie and I had to get off the island because another typhoon, Pepeng (international code name: Parma) is about to affect the area.

The other fruit of our 'intervention' efforts is that more pastors and church workers in Talim Island will attend the PTC seminars and the church will be strengthened. Our next seminar in Subay will be on November 25 to 27.

Thank you for partnering with us in this gospel ministry.

Paul Caampued

Please pray for Paul Caampued and his team, pray that they are not only able to bring them practical help but gospel hope, pray for their strength, faith and resources.

Fall 09 Exploring Christianity - Wk 3

2009-10-06T16:10:00.005-05:00

Thank You for Praying on Wednesdays. We NEED your prayers.

Thank you for your partnership in the gospel on Wednesday evenings as we speak, preach, teach, and demonstrate the gospel to our guests. We certainly feel supported and sustained by your prayers and for that we thank God for you. I do want to keep Colossians 4:2-4 before us to remind us of the importance of prayer for evangelism.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

A Story for Your Encouragement

I heard from one CrossWay member who said their guests said, “I thought we were Christians, but now I’m not sure.” They seriously want to come to Exploring Christianity but some something unexpected kept them from coming last week. Pray that they would come to EC this Wednesday evening.

Last Wednesday

This last Wednesday we had more people attend than attended our Preview Dinner. It happens during week 2 of every series and I call it the Philip Phenomenon – “Come and see” (John 1:46). We had over 90 people seated for dinner which represents six discussion groups. Around half of those people would either be nominal or non-Christians. Last Wednesday was the first time the discussion groups met and in most groups there was a great deal of activity and excitement.

This Wednesday

This Wednesday we will be addressing the topic, “What’s the big deal with sin?” This won’t be the first night we’ve addressed sin, but we will address it head on. We’ll talk about the power of sin, the penalty of sin, the partition of sin, and the pollution of sin. This is a sobering night for folks, but as Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Luke 5:31).

Pray that all barriers that would keep our guests from coming on Wednesday would be removed by God and they would find themselves at Exploring Christianity.
Pray that we would continue to warmly welcome and befriend our guests so that their fears can be laid aside and then could thoughtfully consider the gospel.
Pray that God would give the discussion group leaders wisdom to answer questions with biblical truth, clarity, and sensitivity to the person’s feelings.
Pray that God would give the discussion group leaders and helpers shepherd-like sensitivity so that they can demonstrate the love, care, and compassion of Jesus.
Pray that the teaching on sin would be clear, weighty, and personally convicting. Pray that everyone would recognize their sinful state.
Pray that the presentation of the gospel at the end of the message would be clear, compelling, and full of grace and a sense of urgency.
Pray for the joy, effectiveness, and energy for our Explorer Kids workers and for the obedience, care, and joy of the children.
Pray for those setting up, taking down, cooking food, serving food, managing sound and everyone who serves, that they would see how they’re service fits into God’s redemption of a people for His very own.
Pray that many would come to saving faith through the ministry of EC. Pray that some would place their faith in Jesus Christ on Wednesday night.
Pray that in everything, God may be glorified and His kingdom built.

Care Groups and Mission

2009-10-02T15:23:00.010-05:00

What is the nature of the relationship between Care Groups and our mission as a church? Do they operate largely independent from each other? If so, should they? I have been doing some thoughtful reflection on this question. Here are some thoughts.

Our Mission

Our mission as a church is to glorify God through the transforming of lives by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The engine behind our mission is the power of the gospel. The gospel is the jet engine fuel that propels the turbines of our mission as a church.

Gospel Transformation

There is a direct link to gospel fuel transformation and our Care Groups at CrossWay. The primary goal of Care Groups is to build communities of gospel-centered people.

The mission of Care Groups is to strengthen the church by being communities of people who together rejoice in being new creations and who help one another lay hold of all that God has for them in Christ.

It is people helping one another live in the good of the gospel and be transformed by the power of the gospel. But there is another way Care Groups are linked to our mission as a church.

Gospel Proclamation

CrossWay’s outward mission as a church is to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are outside our life as a church. Care Groups help the people of CrossWay live more fully and faithfully committed to our outward mission as a church. Care Groups are not some independent appendage to our life as a church, but an integral part of mobilizing members to participate more fully in our outward mission as a church.

Care Group Challenge

I want to challenge Care Group leaders and members to identify someone in their group who will become the Mission Mobilizer in their Care Group. What is a Mission Mobilizer? They are a member of your Care Group who helps the group get more fully connected to our outward mission as a church.

I know CG Leaders are doing this, and can continue to do this, but it might benefit everyone if this responsibility was delegated to someone else in the group. It would free up the CG Leader to focus on other things, it would give someone else in the group some ownership for the group, and it would result in more frequent ties to CG life and our mission as a church.

Benefits of a Mission Mobilizer

Here are some benefits of a mission mobilizer:

There would be a greater connection between our Care Groups and our outward mission as a church.
There would be greater communication and, therefore, understanding of our outward mission as a church.
There would be greater involvement in our outward mission as a church.
There would be more prayer for our outward mission as a church.

What might this look like?

The mission mobilizer (MM) would stay informed about CrossWay’s outward mission as a church by subscribing to Missio CrossWay. He or she would then bring specific items to the Care Group. Here is how it might look:

Whenever an outreach event is promoted as part of our mission as a church, the MM would ask the CG Leader if he could have 15 minutes at the end of the meeting to encourage everyone’s participation for the event.
As the event gets closer, the CG again takes time at some point in the meeting to pray for those being invited to the event, for a clear proclamation of the gospel, and for God to regenerate unbelievers.
At some frequency – once a quarter or twice a year – the MM leads an entire CG meeting on mission. He or she can use this time to educate the group about one of our mission partners, or talk about unreached people groups, or a mercy ministry opportunity in Kenosha, and pray for our mission as a church.
Maybe the MM organizes the adoption of one of our mission partners. The MM would then keep the group updated on what is happening with them, their prayer requests, coordinate care packages, sigh birthday cards for their family, send them Christmas gifts, and invite them to your Care Group when they are in town.
Maybe the MM organizers an outreach event, service project, or mercy ministry event once per year and gets the entire CG involved.

What should you do next?

I would encourage you to seriously consider this for your Care Group. Talk about it as it group, ask if there is any interest, see if someone wants to give leadership to it, and then see how God uses it to strengthen your CG, our life as a church, and our mission to the world.

News from Paul after Typhoon Ondoy!

2009-09-30T14:18:00.016-05:00

Dear Friends,

I'm sure news about typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) ravaging the Philippines had been flashed in television around the world. By God's grace my family is safe. Arcy, Marichu and Paul III were at home Friday, September 25, before Ondoy's strong winds and heavy rains came.

I was in a kubo (thatch) in Bgy. Kinagatan, Binangonan, Rizal in Laguna lake since Thursday, September 24 doing some readings.We had scheduled the PTC Team brainstorming meeting for the 2010 plans, but since the majority of Team members could not make it because of unforseen personal circumstances, we reset the meeting. Looking back, it was providential that we cancelled the session, Ondoy could have caused more personal damage.

Everything was fine until friday night. I was reading a book on 'Spiritual Leadership'. The rains and strong winds started about 10pm friday night. It was too late for me and the 5 fishermen with me to leave the area. It was very dark and waves have grown high and gone wild. I put my hammock 5 feet about the bamboo wood, while the men were on the long benches.

At 5 in the morning, Saturday, September 26, 3 of the 5 men with me courageously rode a small boat to go the village to get a big boat to rescue the rest of us. After almost 2 hours of waiting, the rescue boat arrived. About 7 in the morning, we had landed inland. We ate some hot noodles. I stayed in the home of Ka Enie Descutido until Sunday morning. I was home in Antipolo at 2 in the afternoon. While we were in the middle of the lake, I called with my wife, thus sparing her and my children from unnecessary emotional stress.

The flood waters brought havoc in Metro Manila and nearby areas including Antipolo and Rizal. Road going to Antipolo via Teresa was cut off by flood waters and it remains unpassable by vehicles until today. Everyone must travel on foot. The road going to Anitpolo via Sumulong Highway was also cut off and remains unpassable. The road going to the PTC Center was cut off because one of the bridges was destroyed by flood waters (see photo on bridge).

Arcy and I went to visit some relatives near the PTC Center yesterday, Tuesday, September 29. the flood waters had subsided. The water current was almost nil. We crossed a narrow river to get to the other side to bring some goods.

Jeff Taclas's home, one of the PTC Team members, was submerged in 8 feet of water during the flood. Jeff and his family stayed in the second floor of their house. They are now safe. Many of their home appliances were destroyed.

Arman Aspa, also a member of the PTC Team was stranded for 10 hours in the flood. Arman was in Cavite Saturday morning together with 3 companions. They were advised not to go home that night. They stayed in one of the buildings in Home of Joy Orphanage where Marichu works. They travelled Sunday morning only to discover that the flood waters in Marcos Highway were still very high. He was just less that 4 kilometers from his home but cannot cross a 500 meters road still flooded. Arman and his group went to a nearby mall to get some food, but to his surpirse the mall was closed. He was able to reach home until 5 pm.

Pray for the affected people that they will have a strong resolve to get over the tragedy and start all over again.

Thank God for His protection and preservation in the midst of typhoon Ondoy that brought great damage to lives, property, and economy.

PaulPaul C. Caampued, Jr.
Director,

Pastoral Training Course
156 Daisy St., San Antonio Village
Antipolo City, Rizal 1870
Philippines

Fall 09 Exploring Christianity - Wk 2

2009-09-29T12:00:00.002-05:00

Can I ask you, whether you are married or single, older or younger, male or female, to pray for the power of the gospel at Exploring Christianity? If you are a head of household, can I ask you to lead your families in praying? If you are a Care Group leader, can I ask you to lead your Care Groups in praying?

The Furnace for Evangelism

When I think about CrossWay, I envision a church that is passionate about evangelism. As a mission minded church, we can be involved in this winter’s Exploring Christianity by either attending, serving, or praying. Spurgeon referred to the group of people who prayed in the basement of the Metropolitan Tabernacle during the service as the “furnace” for his preaching.

I envision CrossWay praying in their homes on Wednesday evenings as the furnace for our evangelism at Exploring Christianity. Paul told the Colossians,

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. -Colossians 4:2-4

If you are the head of your house, lead your family in prayer and build into them the importance of evangelism and model for them a mission mindset. I will be posting a weekly update and prayer requests for EC. Look for the Wednesday posting and lead your family in prayer.

Last Wednesday

Last Wednesday we hosted our Preview Dinner, an introductory evening for people to experience Exploring Christianity before registering for the series. The evening started with dinner, followed by two interviews from past participants, and ended with a talk on, “How Good Is Good Enough?” We served around 90 people at 12 tables.

This Wednesday

This Wednesday the topic is “What Is God Like” and we break the participants into discussion groups for the first time. We currently have 6 discussion groups with about 84 people pre-registered. Here is how you can be praying for us.

Pray that everyone who registered to participate this week will attend. Pray for those who said they were “unsure” about attending would come this week. Pray that new people will attend this week as a result of additional invitations given out.
Pray that as guests come through our doors we would welcome them with joy, warmth, and a servant’s heart.
Pray for our discussion group leaders: David & Jade Miller, Andy & Jenni Naselli, Thom & Jill Stapleman, Dick & Cathy Warren, and George & Amy Fastenau.
Pray that our discussion group leaders would make everyone feel welcome, that they would quickly alleviate everyone’s fears, and that they would demonstrate the love, care, and compassion of Christ.
Pray that the teaching would be clear, relevant, and compelling. Pray especially that the gospel message in light of who God is would be clear.
Pray that the Explorer Kids workers would be able to quickly learn the names of the children, setup effective ministry by ages, and so care for the children that they drag their parents back next week.
Pray for those setting up, taking down, cooking food, serving food, managing sound and everyone who serves, that they would see how they’re service fits into God’s redemption of a people for His very own.
Pray that many would come to saving faith through the ministry of EC. Pray that some would place their faith in Jesus Christ this Wednesday night.
Pray that in everything, God may be glorified and His kingdom built.

Pray with David and Yulia

2009-09-23T09:31:00.003-05:00

PRAYER & PRAISE
1. Pray that the Albanian staff would have deeper con-victions, better motivations, greater ability, and consis-tent study of God’s Word as the result of training.
2. Continue to pray for Rini and his family to come to Christ.
3. Pray for the mentoring of Zamir and others so that what is taught is actually caught!
4. Pray that Yulia and I would be godly examples to Tosha and Evan, examples of our heavenly Father and how he desires to relate to us.

5. Praise: For the encour-aging time in Macedonia with friends, and fellow Christian workers amongst Muslims in Albania, "spurring them on to love and good deeds" (Heb. 10)and raising them up as Christ-centered leaders!

Read God's Work Like a Love Letter

2009-09-23T09:14:00.005-05:00

A ten day training of twenty-seven Albanian Christian workers began and ended with motivations for studying God’s Word. For example:

When Yulia and I were dating, we frequently chatted by way of internet (Belarus is QUITE far from Albania!). As my interest grew, I was determined to understand "the author’s intention" i.e. Yulia’s intentions behind what she wrote / chatted. I even saved and printed out the conversations for the purpose of reading and re-reading with minute attention. I wanted to discern the heart of the one I cared for.

We all, as believers, have someone we deeply care for, and He has given us His love letter, the Word of God. Let us read and re-read this "letter" so as to know God’s heart and to live pleasing to Him!

Sharing: The Good News with a Muslim– Rini Recap

Rini, an Albanian Muslim from Macedonia, was now driving me and five others through the winding mountains of Albania. As he and I talked, I realized that he too had two children of the same age as Tosha and Evan. This commonality brought us closer. He then noted with surprise that a foreigner could speak Albanian.

Realizing that Rini was keeping the month long fast of Ramadan, I noted his com-mitment and asked "What motivates you to do this?" "Allah is the great judge," he said. "If I do not keep the fast I will be judged." I summarized, "so you are motivated by fear of Allah." Rini concurred. I asked "Would you like to know what motivates me to do good?" He nodded in agreement. "I try to be motivated by love. I love God and others, because God first loved me."

Then I communicated how God demon-strated his love towards us by giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for all the wrong things we have done. Rini was clearly understanding this good news as further con-versation confirmed. On this day of physical hunger and thirst because of keeping Ramadan, Rini also had a spiritual hunger and thirst. Please pray he finds "food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give" him (John 6:27).