Dakar dedication

Four hours of pure joy.

That's the only way I know to describe a church dedication, Senegalese-style. It's been a while since I attended a 4-hour service (without intermission or potty-break, I might add), but that's how it was this morning with Pastor Charles Bavelloni and congregation.

I'll have pictures posted here soon, but today was the culmination of a dream come true - what literally began with a God-dream back in 1998 and over 5 years of concentrated involvement for CLC. Charles tells me that there are only about 20 Christian church buildings in all of Senegal and CLC has now provided the funding for 4 of them, including this central church for Dakar.

The building was designed to hold 300 worshippers, but about 500 people showed up today, including the Village chief & his assistant. I've never seen such joy as people danced all through the service...and at least 20 new attenders came forward to receive Christ at the close. CLCers, rejoice, for you had a part in all of this!

Senegal trip

Well, it was no fun getting here, but it's sure been worth the journey! We're participating in a mass crusade with the Norwegian version of Billy Graham or Oral Roberts, Aril Edvardsen. He has a unique way of lowering Muslim resistance and a powerful miracle ministry as well. Already we've seen the deaf hear, the blind see, the lame walk, & last night after a little crippled boy was healed, the joy among the people was unbridled - pure JOY!

Tomorrow we'll dedicate the latest building constructed with CLC funds - the central church for Dakar pastored by our friend, Charles Bavelloni. It's the second-or-third-largest Christian church building in the country, and he tells me that our church is now responsible for fully 20% of ALL the church buildings in Senegal! CLC, we are making a difference in this nation - thank you for your faithfulness. It's a joy to serve you!

unexpected joys

There's something special about surprises - the happy kind, I mean. I've been like a little kid with joy lately because of one of those totally unexpected joys. You see, when my wife and I were missionaires in Cebu City, Philippines in the early 1980's, I bonded with the Filipino pastor that we worked most closely with like no one I've ever been involved in ministry with - it was like a modern-day David & Jonathan. When we left the Philippines in 1984 for medical reasons, the pain of leaving was such that we really didn't try to maintain contact. Of course, when I left the denomination in the early 1990's, any thought of reconnecting was gone.

However, a few months ago we accepted an invitation from Global Advance to conduct a pastor's conference in Davao City, Mindanao this November. For some reason, my nostaglia got the best of me, and I inquired from one of the denominal missionaries how I might contact my long-lost friend, thinking perhaps I could visit him when we're there.

When Willy answered my email enthusiastically, it was almost like we picked up where we left off 23 years ago - and my joy at getting reconnected has surprised all rational thought - it really just seems like one of those over-and-above blessings that God sends to us just to show us how much we're loved! We've been exchanging emails and pictures almost daily, and I've learned that Willy is scheduled to visit the USA this October - wouldn't you know it - just in time to participate in CLC's annual missions conference!

We serve a GOOD God!
pj

Proud Pastor

Boy, was I a proud pastor yesterday.  Sorry to pop your bubble if you think those two words should never appear together in a sentence.  Truth is, pastors deal with pride just like anyone else.  But this time I was proud because of a record attendance (it wasn't even about a service) or a great choir (although we do have one) or a new building.  I was just proud to be part of an authentic group of leaders walking out Biblical truth.

 

The details aren't important, but the occasion of my pride yesterday was that some members of CLC recently had a serious disagreement that had severed their friendship.  Following the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 18, they requested a meeting with our elders to resolve their differences.  In all my years of ministry, I don't think I've ever seen that done - and certainly not so well.  I sat at the table with such gratitude in my heart as I listened to the collective wisdom and grace with which each elder spoke, and I was just so proud to be part of a team that is authentic.  No, we're not perfect.  Yes, we all have faults and failings.  But we are sincerely seeking to walk out the truth of the Scripture, and we're willing to be held accountable by our fellow believers as we do.  That's healthy.  That's why I love this local church.  If you aren't already plugged into a body of believers like that, a group of people who are genuine in their desire to live their faith 24/7, then you don't know what you're missing. 

 

I agree with Bill Hybels when he says that "the local church is the hope of the world".  I'm glad to be a part of this one.

Jerry McQuay
Senior Pastor,
CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER
www.clctoday.org

 

Radio opportunity for CLC

As a pastor, I know that we are called to take the Gospel beyond our four walls.  We try to do that in a variety of ways currently, but for years we have waited for a prime spot on the radio. Just recently, because of my on-going relationship with WYLL, I was the first one called when a drive-time 7:00 pm slot opened. 

 

Although we didn't have the funds in our budget to cover this radio outreach opportunity, I consulted with some of our leaders and they all encouraged me to step out by faith and believe that God would supply.  We're doing that, and on March 20, our broadcast, "Practical Living" will begin airing on WYLL, AM1160.

 

There are 12 million people within the area of their 50,000 watt signal. This group includes shut-ins, people in prisons, and desperate people needing Jesus. According to WYLL's surveys, 16% of their listeners are seeking a church home. 32% of their listeners tune in asking, "God, are you there?" When listeners tune in at 7:00 pm every day Monday through Friday beginning March 20, God will be there through this ministry, saying, "Yes, God is here."

WYLL will broadcast live from our lobby this Sunday, March 12, to promote this new partnership.  This partnership is not about marketing and advertisements; rather, it is missions. However, we need business partners and personal sponsors to be able to launch this vital ministry. Please stop by the WYLL booth in our lobby this Sunday and talk to the General Manger, Dave Santrella, and pick up a packet of information to see if you can be one of the business sponsors. You may also make a donation or a monthly pledge of support for this vital outreach.

See you this weekend as March Madness continues at CLC with my wife sharing how we can 'Stand Out from the Crowd'!

Jerry McQuay
Senior Pastor,
CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER
www.clctoday.org

 

more time together

I can't say it enough: make time for each other! We just spend the better part of the morning just holding hands and walking around the grounds of this incredible retreat place - Big Cedar Lodge, in the Ozark Mountains near Branson, MO. The scenic beauty certainly made it majestic, but the real joy was again having time to just connect with each other. If it's this good for us, after 33 years of marriage, it's bound to be good for other couples as well. So, one more time: make time for your spouse, or if you're unmarried, for the important people in your life.

Even if your 'time together' is just holding hands at Starbucks, drop the kids off with a sitter and do it! If you think you can't even afford that, then find another CLC couple and 'swap' - you watch their kids for free while they go out, and then they watch your kids for free while you enjoy a date night. There's really no excuse - whatever it takes, make time for relationships!
pj