Good laugh!

I'm headed home to my honey in just a few minutes, but I had a good laugh this morning in the final session at the Global Advance Pastor's Forum near Branson, MO. I was seated beside my friends, Pastors Phil & Melody Nordstrom as the distinguished professon, Dr. Roy Fish (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's school of evangelism is named after him!) was about to speak for the final time at this retreat, but his mic wasn't on. The audio engineer had turned the volume way up trying to pick up his voice to no avail, and finally came up front and switched on the mic, which then boomed with Dr. Fish's voice. He hesitated just a moment and then said, "It's loud, but not so clear".

Melody immediately quipped, "reminds me of a lot of sermons I've heard"!

After I finally quit laughing, I realized that a lot of us preachers are guilty as charged. I know I am. But it made me ponder: what makes a sermon only loud and not so clear?

I've got 2 extremely important messages coming up in the next 2 days, as I try to bring some comfort to a precious family who lost their 4-year old son in a tragic accident caused by a drunk driver, and then help launch our newest campus in South Bend, IN and one thing is for certain: I don't want to be loud but not so clear!

I think clarity is enhanced by:

• having one point and staying on it
• using stories or illustrations that, like a window, let in light on the subject
• using Scripture accurately
• talking to people, not at or about them
• NOT going on and on

Those are just my thoughts. I'll bet listeners have some good ideas, too. Can you help me? What suggestions do you have so I can be a clear communicator?

Good cry?

I've heard that expression a few times (from women), but last night I think I experienced it. The session here at the Global Advance Pastor's Forum at Big Cedar Lodge with Dr. Roy Fish moved me like I haven't been moved in a long time. As he finished his presentation, I just began to weep and couldn't stop (didn't want to!)

Why all the tears?

Because he reminded us through several simple stories of the privilege of sowing Gospel seeds into lost people, and the harvest that follows. In a nutshell, I wept with desire for God to use me to help reach people with the Gospel. That used to be a regular prayer of mine. It used to be a big focus of ministry. But sometimes in the busyness of 'doing church' we forget what it's all about - the reason for capital campaigns, and children's ministry, and a hot band, and coffee bars, and websites, and nice facilities, and sermon series, and big screen multimedia, and email blasts and TV commercials, and multi-site expansion, and ALL that we do - is simply to reach lost people who matter to God!

When was the last time you wept over that?

Do it again, Lord!

At the Global Advance Pastor's Forum in Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, I just sat spellbound as Dr. Roy Fish shared about the "Layman's Prayer Revival of 1858". (I know; I know, some of you are thinking what could be more boring than a history lecture from 150 years ago! If you only knew...)

According to Dr. Fish, that era was much like our own, with materialism and moral decay threatening to destroy American society from within. But a convert of Charles Finney named Jeremiah Lamphere invited businessmen from New York City to join him for a noon prayer meeting on April 23, 1858. He actually prayed alone for the first half-hour, before 5 other businessmen trickled in to the church where he met. By the time it was over, 18 months later:

• there were 150 such prayer meetings around New York City, with 50,000 praying daily
• 25,000 businessmen were converted in NY City, and 65,000 others were saved there
• From NY City, it spread eventually throughout the USA
• In Trenton, NJ, 1700 were converted in one Methodist Church & 5,000 total in the city
• When the revival reached Kalamazoo, MI the leader of the daily prayer meeting read a prayer request that was handed in "from a praying wife, asking prayer for her unsaved husband" and immediately a man jumped to his feet with tears and said, "that's me - my wife has been praying for me to get saved", then another and another, until 5 men were standing, claiming to be the one....and 400 were converted in one week!
• When it reached Chicago, a young man who had just moved there wrote his mother not to worry about him, because he was attending a wonderful prayer meeting every day. Soon he asked to teach a Sunday school class at his church, only to be told that there was a waiting list of willing teachers - but that if he would bring his pupils to church, they'd let him teach. He started that next Sunday with 14 street urchins...a year later there were 600 of them...the following year is was 1,200, and thus began the public ministry of D.L. Moody!
• People from every walk of life were affected: in Philadelphia, 1500 firemen were converted (35 prayer meetings were conducted in 5 fire stations every week!); so many sailors in the US Navy got converted that 2 Christian newspapers began publishing just for sailors!
• Population of the USA at that time was 30 million people; one million of them were converted during this Layman's revival in a year-and-a-half!

As Dr. Fish said of Jeremiah Lamphere, "somebody just has to start something!" - and I say, "Do it again, Lord!"

Nice welcome

Just got this post from our neighbors at Granger Community Church. They've raised the bar for creative ministry and reached thousands of people in Michiana over the last 20 years, and blessed us at CLC though various conferences and seminars. In fact, one of the things I most appreciate about Pastors Mark Beeson and Tim Stevens and their whole team is their willingness to share what they've learned with those of us who are still learning.

It's definitely a little intimidating to be in the shadow of such a great ministry, but as Tim says in his post, it's going to take a lot of different churches to reach a lot of different people, and we're excited about the opportunity to reach some of them starting this Sunday, March 2!

CLCers, it's not too late to join your prayers with mine for hundreds of people to respond to our invitations this Sunday.

glad I came!

All right, I'll be honest. I don't like traveling without my wife. I don't like anything about it - flying or driving by myself...(especially) eating alone...just the whole thing. So I left today somewhat reluctantly, out of respect of Dr. David Shibley and his personal appeal to me to attend. Then my nonstop flight was cancelled and I had to scramble to make new connections and get here just in time for the opening session.

BUT boy, am I glad I came! Just this opening session from Dr. Shibley on "Evangelism in the Local Church" was worth the trip - and there's 3 more sessions to go with a legendary seminar professor on this same subject of evangelism.

Just yesterday in our creative team planning meeting we laid the groundwork for a new series in April that exactly coincides with this retreat theme, and after today, I'm especially jazzed! Now I can't wait to get home and share...

on the road again

I'm headed out this morning to the Global Advance Pastor's Retreat in Branson, MO. This meeting has been one of the highlights for our year the past few years, as Chris & I have really enjoyed the opportunity to fellowship with some of the leading missions-minded pastors in America, and enjoy a relaxed pace in scenic Branson, too.

This time, because of our recent trip to Asia, we had decided not to attend. However, Dr. David Shibley persuaded me to come alone, mainly because of the special guest speaker who will be sharing in all our sessions. So, here I go this morning, weary in body but excited in spirit about what I'll receive in the next 2 days.

I'll be back on Friday to gear up for our opening weekend in South Bend - that's what I'm most excited about!

Ariel Parker funeral

For all CLCers who are interested, the funeral for the 4-year old CLCer who was killed in last weekend's car crash will be this Saturday at noon here at CLC. The wake will be at 11am.

Please continue to lift up Stephon & Rachel and the entire Parker family during this time of grief - and thank you for the loving support you've already shown!

Harvest event in Philippines

I shared a little this weekend about the Harvest event sponsored by the "Household of Faith" church in Davao City (actually, by their 'Regeneration' youth ministry led by Pastor Joel Montes, son of senior Pastor Herley Montes).



It was one of the most thrilling times of my life, for sure, and today I received some of the pictures from the event and I thought you'd enjoy seeing them

(The shots of individuals talking to small circles of students are part of the follow-up after the salvation prayer. They were SO organized - each cell leader immediately shared with those who had just received Christ about the 'next steps', in order to consolidate the harvest and insure fruit that remains!)

Like I said, it was 'first-class' all the way, and I hope the pictures give you a better idea of what an outstanding job they did in reaching out to their unsaved friends. May ALL of us be lights for Jesus in our dark world, too!

Weekend reflections

Here's some random (really random) thoughts on this last Sunday afternoon of February:

• kudos to 24/7 and our Consumed Student Ministries for the great reports I've heard about their "Elevation" Winter Retreat this weekend. Really cool that we had student participation from all 3 campuses, too!
• sure felt good to be back in the CLC pulpit this weekend - I miss you guys when I'm away more than you miss me!
• we had a ton of new folks in Tinley Park this weekend, and even better, most of them told me it wasn't their first time, but actually returning guests....I say 'even better' because all the stats indicate that each time a guest returns, the greater the chance of them remaining and getting plugged-in to a church....and I like it when God adds to our family!
• loved the unusual touch of the Spirit at all 3 services, and especially the fruit during the salvation invitation.....Saturday night we had a lady get born-again who told me she had not attended any church in more than 20 years!
• seeing the news article about the awful car wreck on Friday night that claimed the life of 4-year old Ariel Parker, youngest son of CLCers Stephon & Rachel Parker was so sobering. I had the chance to pray with Stephon in the lobby after the 9am service today, but there are really no words to comfort this kind of grief. Please do help me by lifting this precious family to the Lord all this week.
• just heard that, sure enough, there were some new families visiting our South Bend campus today because they just couldn't wait for next week's grand 're-opening' celebration......we're believing God for more than 300 in attendance on opening day, and I'm thankful for all the CLCers in TP who agreed to fast & pray this week for God's blessing on next Sunday!

I'm sure there's more, but I'm tired - not sure if it's jetlag finally setting in, or just the normal consequence of not getting much sleep (our lost luggage was finally delivered just before 1am today) or preaching 3 times...but either way, I'm signing off by saying, I sure love CLCers!

home, sweet home

Well, it was 43 hours from our wake-up call at the hotel in Manado, Indonesia until we arrived home in Monee, after 5 flights covering well over 10,000 miles & 14 time zones - but it sure is good to be home....even if AA did manage to lose our luggage between LA and Chicago!

I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight, but not before closing our 'Heroes' series with a message I can't wait to deliver!

Goodbye Indonesia

Its about 4:25PM Thursday in Chicago & we're boarding the first of 4 flights before arriving at O'Hare about 5am Saturday! 37 hours in a plane - such fun!

But we're feeling very fulfilled & we'll never forget the people of Manado, Indonesia!

CLC, here we come!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

CLC-South Bend 'Re-launch'

Got some GREAT news to share regarding our 're-launch' on March 2 of the former Christian Tabernacle in South Bend (now our 3rd campus for CLC). In addition to the series of postcards blanketing that area in advance of our opening service, we decided to do 3 email 'blasts' of 50,000 each - and the first one went out yesterday. The results have been incredible:

• at least 22,675 people opened our email to read it (we got past the SPAM filters!)
• 907 of those people visited our website as a result!
• Our Campus Pastors report their phone is ringing off the hook with interested people, and others are sending emails with questions about the church!
• Get this: already 2 people have signed up for our MEMBERSHIP CLASS via the website! (They already want to join CLC and they haven't even visited us yet!!!)

Needless to say, I'm pretty pumped about what God is getting ready to do in South Bend!

By the way, this SATURDAY, February 23 is a work day in South Bend, as we're at crunch-time for getting the building ready. Any CLCers from Tinley Park or Shorewood who could help us paint or clean or just provide some 'grunt' labor would be a huge blessing to the newest member of our family - you can contact our Campus Pastors for more info, or just drive over on Saturday to help out.

This weekend is going to be wonderful - can't wait to see you!

Manado Pastor's Conf., Day 3

We've just completed what may have been the most outstanding pastor's conference I've ever been a part of - in fact, Dale Witt from Global Advance says it's in the top 10 they've ever done - and that's saying something when you consider that they've trained 400,000 pastors & church leaders in 70 nations since 1990!

There's so much to say about this conference in Manado, Indonesia:

• the change in the conference delegates from Tuesday until today was unbelievable - from very reserved, holding-us-at-arm's-length initially, to boistrous, exuberant praise and requests for pictures and hugs from practically everyone present by the end of the conference!
• in this morning's opening session, Dr. Sally Knox-Witt asked for people who wanted to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit to come forward. (Keep in mind that this is a pastor's conference, but we do draw representatives from many different denominations throughout this island of Indonesia and beyond). At any rate, about 20 people came forward almost immediately - and within just a few minutes, it seems each one of them had received and was using their new prayer language - it was beautiful!
• These precious pastors and leaders, despite their obvious poverty, gave a freewill offering to help the next conference that Global Advance will lead in a few weeks in Sierra Leone, West Africa - and when the offering was counted, it came to $1000! (That's over 9-million of their currency, and incredibly generous considering there were only about 800 people present)
• this afternoon I met a pastor who used to teach imam's in a Muslim seminary...until he started having dreams and visions in which Jesus appeared to him! This went on repeatedly for over 3 years, until he finally surrendered and was born-again! Now he is a pastor on this island who is leading other Muslim's to Christ!
• I also met several pastors and leaders, part of a group of about 600 people who used to live several hours away. They were all Muslim, but Jesus began appearing to the men as they worshipped at their local mosque. (He appeared to all 150 of them several times!) Finally, they asked their local imam what they should do, and he advised them to get a book of blank paper and write on it, "Jesus' book" and that they should pray to Jesus and record what happened. They did....in effect, they 'journaled' of prayers that Jesus answered for them over the next few years!!! Finally, they felt 'led' to sell their homes and property and move to this majority-Christian city to learn more about this Jesus. They are now all born-again and are focusing their efforts on reaching Muslims for Christ!

I could go on, but I think you get the picture. If you're a part of our CLC family, you would be so proud of the Heart to Heart team of Ivory Bishop, Courtney Franklin, Nannette Pachol and Regina Williams - who poured themselves into these Indonesian women. I don't think I've ever seen such an outpouring of love as was demonstrated at the close of the conference today.

It's about 9pm on Thursday as I write this, and we leave for the airport and the first leg of our return to Chicago in less than 8 hours. I can't wait to see all of you again, and I've got a message to close our "Heroes" series this weekend that you don't want to miss!

Manado Pastor's Conf., Day 2

Wow - day 2 was wonderful! Despite the language barriers, the leaders really seemed to 'warm up' to us today, and the response to our teachings was wonderful, punctuated at the end of the day with a wonderful touch of the Holy Spirit upon many of the pastors here. It was the kind of day you always want at one of these conferences!

Then immediately upon arrival back at the hotel, we were met by former CLCer Jerry Tambun (who now lives in Manado) and 2 of the brothers of former CLCer Jeanny Kermite (and uncles of Zindy Pussong). Jeanny & Zindy were faithful members of CLC for a few years until Zindy married Ryan Cannon and moved to San Diego, and her mom followed her there soon afterwards.

What was amazing to me is the love from CLC - even though we had never met their family before, it was so obvious that Jeanny & Zindy & Jerry had 'prepared the way' for us. I don't know when I've felt such an outpouring of love before - especially from someone who just met us last night!

They took us a few minutes away to a seafood restaurant right on the water - talk about fresh! It was an Indonesian feast, and included a unique coconut-and-brown-sugar drink that was yummy!

Who said missions is a sacrifice?

Manado Pastor's Conf., Day 1

Tuesday at the FLSC in Manado, Indonesia was a day for flexibility and getting adjusted (flexibility is the password on any successful missions trip, trust me!)

We have over 600 pastors & leaders registered for the conference, but the language barrier makes it very difficult to 'read' the people, to guage their response to the teaching. As a result, it feels like tough plowing - but the Spirit of the Lord visited us in the closing session, and I know the pastors are receiving, even if our teachings are challenging some of their traditions.

It seems my wife and the ladies didn't have any resistance, and they sensed real breakthrough from the opening sessions with the women leaders who have gathered. I got to their assembly room just before the close, and it was obvious that the Indonesia women are receiving big-time from our CLC team - all of you at CLC would be proud of our ladies and the way they're serving the women of both of these precious developing nations.

And what a small world - we returned to the hotel only to see former-CLCer, Jerry Tambun, who now lives in Manado, just a few minutes from where we're staying. In fact, CLC has several former members (Zindy Pussong and Jeany Kermite who now live in CA) who were originally from Manado! How neat the connections that God makes for us!

food on a missions trip was NEVER like this

When we arrived in Manado on Monday and came straight to our hotel, we soon learned that this would not the the 'usual' experience on a missions trip. The hotel is operated by a delightful Christian multi-cultural couple (he's from Holland; she's a Chinese-Filipina) and the Chef of this resort property is from Austria. And can he cook!

(I had been forewarned that Indonesia food is very spicy, and since I don't do spicy, even at home, I was prepared to lose some weight on this trip). Instead, thanks to Chef Sigi, we've been feasting: beef stroganoff, sirloin steak, grilled chicken - with some wonderful stir-fried vegetables, fresh fruit and more. Needless to say, I'm gaining weight after only 2 days, with 2 more to go. This isn't supposed to happen on missions, but I'm not complaining!

First impressions

Riding to our hotel from the airport was an experience, with some scenes right out of Jurassic Park (not the dinosaurs; the landscape).

I think new experiences stretch & invigorate us, so this week looks to be WAY out of our comfort zone already - and I'm up for it! (and we're not even to the hotel yet!)
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Off to Indonesia

Goodbye, Davao - we've completed the maze that is check-in & airport security here (very interesting) & we're awaiting departure for Manado, Indonesia where we'll do another conf.

Never been there before - so its all new experiences: sights, foods, & languages! I like new, so it should be FUN!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Davao assignment complete!

Whew! We've just finished one of the most intense weeks of ministry I ever recall - and I think our entire team is feeling it (meaning: we're exhausted!)

Saturday was spent with a morning visit to the Family Circus, an Assemblies of God outreach to children led by Darrell & Sandy Blatchley here. Much like Pastor Bill Wilson's "Sidewalk Sunday School", the Blatchley's and their team minister to about 3,500 children every weekend, helping them memorize the Word of God through songs and age-appropriate exercises, as well as feeding the kids and just serving them and their families in one of the poorest squatter areas of metro Davao. It's hard to describe - you have to see it to believe it!

Then we had a quick tour of the Living Stones orphanage led by our hosts, Ken & Cris Sandberg, who are missionaries here with Calvary International.

Last night I had dinner with my friends Willy & Nelly Majaducon, who served alongside us when Chris and I were missionaries in Cebu City about 25 years ago.

Finally, today our team split up with Chris ministering at the "Releaser of Life Family Church" led by Pastors Tito & Nelrose Sassam, and I preached at the "Household of Faith Church" led by Pastor Herley Montes. These two congregations are among the most cutting-edge ministries in Davao, and it was a privilege to bring the Word to them.

Now it's Sunday afternoon and we're free until 6:00 a.m. when we head to Manado, Indonesia where we'll do it all over again - leading simultaneous conferences there for pastors and women in leadership. Can't imagine it right now, as tired as I am, so pray for fresh strength.

Friday night in Davao

I'm speechless.

Seriously.

At the Youth Harvest event last night in Davao City, I felt like the Queen of Sheba after her visit to Solomon - "it took her breath away". I've never seen such a production, even in the USA!

One local church (the one where I'm preaching on Sunday) had gathered almost 3,000 youth - mostly college students, since the event was held at a large gym at one of the largest universities here. The stage was absolutely stunning - high-tech, computerized lighting, smoke machines, you name it, they had it.

And the band - oh my goodness, the band could rival anything I've heard before. They cranked out contemporary rock, much of it original composition, as the youth pastor and his talented team performed several songs. They had dance - they had drama - they had it all.

And the audience reminded me of rock concerts in the States - those college kids were yelling & whistling & clapping - the noise level in that gym was ear-splitting all night long. (Yes, I was definitely feeling my age - but at the same time, I was loving the demonstration of the next generation as they worshipped the Lord with their whole heart!)

I gave a simple message from Gen. 5 about a list of nine men who "lived...and died...and not much else"....except for one man, Enoch, who 'walked with God'. I challenged the kids to make the choice to do that - to walk with God, and then made a simple salvation invitation. I can't describe the thrill of seeing hundreds of college kids stand to pray to receive Jesus!

I should have a final count on Sunday, but the host pastor estimated at least 1,000 of the students prayed to receive the Lord last night. And the follow-up! I've never seen such an organized and passionate response, as small-group leaders throughout the gym immediately stood up and shared a simple plan with these new converts, covering the most important next steps and helping to consolidate them into God's family. It was absolutely awesome!

I've asked for photos of the event, and when I get them I'll post them here - but for now, I'm still breathless. THANKS so much for all your prayers - they're making a difference here!

Day 3 of Philippine Pastor's Conf.

The third & final day of the FrontLine Shepherd's Conference in Davao City, Philippines brought a prophetic release upon the hundreds of delegates and ended with a 'fire tunnel' where we literally laid hands on every single person in attendance. I think everyone agrees that this conference was even more impacting than the one we conducted here in November of 2006.

All of you at CLC would be so 'proud' of the H2H ladies (Ivory Bishop, Courtney Franklin, Nannette Pachol & Regina Williams) - they just poured themselves into the Filipinas at the Women's Conference, teaching & sharing & loving & praying with them all 3 days, and it was so obvious this afternoon that the love they had poured out was returned back to them again - I'm sure my wife will be reporting more details on the H2H website later.

I had time to grab a Jollibee's burger (a Philippine imitation of McDonald's) and change before heading out for tonight's evangelistic event where they're expecting over 3,000 unsaved youth - I'll definitely tell you about it tomorrow.

Philippine Pastor's Conf., Day 2

Day 2 was much like Day 1, as there was a sweet Presence of the Lord that just seemed to sweep through the room at various times of worship throughout the day - at least on the pastor's side. At the women's conference, I suspect it was much more intense, because Chris had no voice left afterwards, and all of our CLC ladies seemed pretty wiped out.

It's also Valentine's Day in the Philippines (never knew that was a global holiday) and with the help of Missionary Ken Sandberg, I managed to surprise Chris with flowers at the end of the day, and she really was surprised!

Also had the chance to see one of our students from the Bible school we led 25 years ago in Cebu today, and tonight I'm having dinner with the former Vice President of the school and his wife, whom I've also not seen in 25 years (back in my denominational days) - should be interesting to say the least.

If you read this before Friday morning, say a prayer for me - I'm the speaker for a youth evangelistic rally that's expected to draw over 3,000 unsaved Filipino youth. It's been a long time since I worked with youth, and I've never considered myself an evangelist - but this sounded like too much fun to pass up. The host pastor is expecting a great harvest, and I'm believing with him. I'll let you know how it goes-

Philippine Pastor's Conf., Day 1

It's GREAT to be back in the Philippines - this was our 'first love' in missions, and it's never left us. Several familiar faces from our November 2006 visit were present today, and we have about 1,300 people registered for the 3-day conference.

Chris & I shared about teamwork between husbands and wives in ministry this morning to the entire group, while the afternoon was divided into simultaneous meetings with the ladies in one room and pastors in another.

I always enjoy teaching for Global Advance and with their International Director Dale Witt, but I don't recall the move of the Holy Spirit that we enjoyed today on just the first day of a conference before - usually it seems to happen later, on the second or even final day. These Filipino's are obviously hungry for everything God has in store for them, and that makes it a joy to be here.

I met a Christian yesterday.

I was too tired to write about it last night, and I still don't have words this morning, but I know I met a Christian yesterday in Manila. If you've never heard the incredible story of Jane Walker, it's virtually impossible to describe her and the work she's doing among the 'poorest of the poor' who literally live on the garbage dump of Manila, Philippines.

Check our her Philippine Community Fund here or here - but no website can do it justice. Jane is a single mom who came here to visit about 12 years ago and who now serves these children and families in the name of Jesus. I first learned of her through our friends Mike & Penny Stevens, and others had described her efforts here, which garnered her a "Woman of the Year" award a year or two ago in her native Great Britain. But nothing could have prepared us for what we saw, smelled and felt yesterday as our team walked through the garbage dump with her and saw first-hand the love of Christ that compels her to do what she does.

I don't know whether to weep or pray or repent, but I know I was in the presence of a woman of God. Makes me wonder: what do others think of 'my' Christianity after being around me? As someone has asked, if you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Gotta run - first session at our Pastor's Conference begins soon.

God is in control

No matter how many times you do it over how many years, you never quite get used to international travel - or at least I never do. Our team of six (Ivory Bishop, Courtney Franklin, Nannette Pachol, Regina Williams and Chris & me) left CLC about 2pm Sunday afternoon for O’Hare, where we boarded a flight to LA – and all went well.

Until we entered the Int’l terminal at LAX, stood in a never-ending line for security only to discover as we got to the head of the line that the online boarding passes I printed out at the office weren’t really boarding passes, just a document to present at the counter to get a boarding pass. It must have been a sight to see the six of us running to the Cathay Pacific counter to get the boarding passes in time to catch the flight. God was good, and so was the Cathay employee who personally assisted us and led us past the now-even-longer line right to the front of security.

Then came the news that because of headwinds enroute to Hong Kong, we wouldn’t be able to fly nonstop, but would make an unscheduled fuel stop in Seoul – which would add just enough time to the flight to make us miss our connection into Manila.

Again, God was good and we made that connection as they were on the final call for boarding. After sitting down, I opened an email on my Blackberry from Ken Sandberg informing us that the ONLY flight next week into Manado, Indonesia that (unbeknownst to us) had been cancelled, was just now confirmed on another carrier who’s taking over that route beginning the day we need to leave! (I think I see a pattern developing here)

So good to know that whatever comes, God is in control!

weekend reflections....a little late

Interesting weekend:

In Shorewood, despite the cold, we celebrated our 1st anniversary in style, and Pastor Dan reported good attendance and a festive atmosphere in their all-church dinner afterwards. Seeing the testimonies yesterday via video, and knowing that there’s lots more where those came from reminded me of what a wonderful first year it’s been. I know the Lord led us to become ‘one church; multiple locations’.

And our newest campus in South Bend, just a few weeks from their grand ‘Re-launch’, had a good number of brave souls, including several from the Tinley campus who were there to assist with the final preparation, despite minus-21 wind chill and 45 mph gusts that caused white-out road conditions and made driving hazardous.

And in Tinley Park, with temps of minus-5 degrees on Sunday, attendance was definitely lower than normal, but can’t recall when I’ve had more folks saying “you were talking straight to me today” – I guess ALL of us need to be a little more like Barnabas. I was especially encouraged by the commitments that almost seemed unanimous. How ‘bout we share here, to keep the encouragement going: how have you encouraged someone this week? How were you encouraged by someone? Let’s see how creative today’s ‘heroes’ can be!

Oh, one more thing: kudos to Dorothy Caldwell and our ‘Wildfire’ dance team – not only did they take honors at the Dance Revolution Conference they attended in Indianapolis, but the report I received was that the Spirit of the Lord filled the room as they ministered in dance, so much so that the even the judges stood in worship, with shouting and crying! Praise God for multi-cultural AND multi-generational worship!

off to Asia

It was minus 5 degrees when I drove to church this morning, with wind chills of I-don't-even-want-to-know, and the next time we step outside (after getting to O'Hare this afternoon), it's supposed to be about 87 degrees (and if I know the Philippines, probably 85% humidity, too) - how's that for a shock to the system!?!

At any rate, my wife and I, along with a team of four brave ladies from Heart 2 Heart depart this afternoon for back-to-back conferences in Davao City, Philippines and Manado, Indonesia. Both conferences are sponsored by Global Advance and CLC and will feature simultaneous meetings for pastors (over 1,500 expected) and women pastors and leaders.

It will be a stretch for all of us, but I've got a sense that God will do some remarkable things among us before we return on Saturday, February 23. Do keep us in prayer in the meantime, and I'll try to blog from the conferences if I can get online.

thanks and a plea to all of CLC

The prayer vigil at the makeshift memorial to the five victims of the Tinley Park shootings yesterday was a great response - kudos to Pastor Doug Neal for organizing and coordinating this effort, which drew dozens of CLCers and a number of people from the community in a display of compassionate concern and support for the victims. If 'proud' can be a good word, I was proud to be your pastor yesterday!

That leads me to a plea for your cooperation and support next Sunday, Feb. 17 at 3:00pm, when the churches of Tinley Park and our mayor's office coordinate a special community-wide prayer event for the victims here at CLC. This is a real opportunity for us to 'step up' and serve our community, and I'm calling on all CLCers to help us in any way possible - with your participation and service, as we'll need ushers, parking lot attendants, musicians, singers, hospitality people - you name it.

Preliminary reports indicate a capacity crowd will attend, and they're coming to our house, so we truly want to demonstrate Christ's love and minister hope and healing to our community and it's leaders. Pastors Doug & Shanna will coordinate this event in my absence, so please contact them or respond to the request for volunteers. I know that you will, and I thank God for you!

Community-wide Memorial Service at CLC

We'll announce this in our weekend services, but I wanted to get the word out as widely as possible that CLC will host a community prayer service in honor of the victims of last weekend's tragedy at Brookside Marketplace on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 3:00pm.

The Tinley Park Ministerial Association and our mayor's office are planning the service, and we're grateful to be able to host the event. I view this as an opportunity for CLC to 'step up' and serve our community during a time of grief and much fear. I urge our church family to help show our support for the community by attending and serving in any way possible.

I truly regret that my wife and I will be in the Philippines that day, but I'm also thankful for the leadership initiative of our Campus Pastors, Doug & Shanna Neal, who are spearheading this service. Your cooperation with them will insure that we can honor God and bless our community.

The verse I've been praying for our Mayor and Police force and even the victim's families for the past several days is Deut. 33:25 - that they not be overwhelmed by this tragedy and all the challenges that it has brought, but that they be blessed with strength equal to the challenges of the day. I hope you'll join me in that prayer as well.

Shorewood 1st Anniversary

It's hard to believe it's already been ONE YEAR, but this Sunday marks the 1st anniversary of our 2nd campus in Shorewood, and we're gonna party!

So many good things have transpired in that first year, including dozens of people who've prayed to receive Christ, many hurting people who've been healed & restored, and literally hundreds of people from the community who've been served through our Food Pantry.

Of course, Pastors Dan & Pat Johnson have a special celebration planned with a big lunch together after their service, but we're going to celebrate at each location, since we ARE "one church in multiple locations". In fact, to help us celebrate at all 3 campuses this weekend, we'll take a look at some of the changed lives and hear the stories of what God has done since we stepped out in faith to enlarge our territory. So no matter which campus you attend, I hope you'll join us this weekend with your dancing shoes on!

a Prayer Vigil for the Tinley Park victims

Our Campus Pastor, Doug Neal, is organizing a prayer vigil at the makeshift memorial in front of the Lane Bryant store where the Tinley Park shootings took place, this Saturday, February 9, at 10:00 a.m.

I'm encouraging all CLCers (and any other local blog readers) to join us there Saturday as we pray for the killer to be apprehended, for comfort for the families and friends of the victims, and for peace to again prevail in our community.

CLC will also be spearheading a community-wide effort to bless the families in a practical way, and we'll announce those details as soon as they're complete.

I actually believe this is one of those 'opportunities' to bless our community, and like we heard in last weekend's message, we're going to seize it - so please join your hands & hearts with us!

Fear is a spirit

Reading the front page of today's Southtown Star was a little scarey. Here were the bold print items:

• Details emerge in Tinley Massacre
• Is shooting site a crime magnet?
• Video cameras? Alert systems?
• We're vulnerable to danger

I'm really not trying to be religious; but honestly it seems like fear-mongering to me.

By now, all of us realize that in our society almost anything can happen anywhere. Saturday's shootings only reinforce what we already knew.

But that doesn't mean we should cower in fear, because of the Word and God's promises to us, here and here and here.

For that matter, even if the unthinkable does happen to believers (as it did Saturday morning) for some reason known only to God, we have the greatest promise of all, here and here!

My word for all of us today is the one repeated 365 times in Scripture (once for every day of the year) - Fear not!

Super Sunday reflections...

1. My wife was on fire this weekend! Every time I hear her speak, I thank God for letting me share life with her. And I absolutely can't compete with her sermon props - all those body parts today had us in stitches!

2. It was great seeing everyone at our Shorewood campus today - the last Sunday of our first year of ministry there. I'm so 'proud' of what God is doing there with our CLC team led by Pastors Dan & Pat Johnson, and I know their 1st Anniversary Celebration next Sunday will be a real blowout!

3. Speaking of Dan & Pat, they were the speakers today at our South Bend campus...in part because we're almost to the "Grand Re-opening" there (March 2) and we thought it would bless the SB folks to hear first-hand about their experience in launching Shorewood last year. But I underestimated what the Lord had in mind:

our Campus Pastors, Chris & Amber Payne had a strong impression during the service today that they should receive a special offering for Dan & Pat at the close of service. They obeyed that 'nudge' from the Lord, even though an honorarium wasn't expected or called for. The SB congregation then responded by giving what the treasurer there reported afterwards was the largest offering for a guest speaker in the entire history of their church!

Pastor Dan asked to address the congregation after the offering, and thanked them for their generosity, but then added that he believes in sowing into what God is doing, and that he wanted the offering they had just given to be invested instead into their launch! Can you believe that? I'm so proud of the team of pastors and leaders that God has given us at CLC!

Chris Payne also told me of a significant 'breakthrough' that he and I both attribute to today's meeting - their obedience to receive the offering, and Dan's generosity & obedience in returning it. Who knows what's going to happen in a few weeks when we begin to welcome hundreds of newcomers to our newest campus!

4. The SuperBowl tonight really was 'super' in every sense of the word - one of the best I ever recall. Since Rodney Harrison attended CLC when he lived here and he returned to CLC to have both of his children dedicated here, I was a loyal pastor and rooted for his Patriots to remain unbeaten....but you sure have to admire an underdog like the Giants who pulled out such a hard-fought win!

Very satisfying weekend....I'll sleep good tonight.

CLC and the shootings

Just an update on yesterday's tragedy - as it turns out, CLCers are connected to at least 3 of the victims. One was a Spirit-filled pastor who worked as manager of the store, and has numerous friends at our Shorewood campus (in fact, she had worshipped with us on a few occasions). At least 2 other victims were friends and co-workers with our members at the Tinley campus.

Obviously, when any tragedy takes place, our role as believers is to pray. But when it strikes this close to home, geographically and relationally, it's especially important that we lift up the families of the victims as well as comfort our brothers and sisters who are grieving. Times like this were made for family, and I'm thankful to be a part of this one.

Not the headlines we want...

By now you've probably heard about the mass-murders yesterday here in Tinley Park, with 5 women shot to death in a Lane Bryant store just 2 miles from our campus. It's another in a series of tragic and senseless violent acts that seem to occur at random throughout our country - as our own mayor said, "we're a victim of our own society that we live in"

In the 19 years that I've lived here, I think this is the first time Tinley Park has made national news headlines....but this is sure not the way we wanted publicity. My heart is that people would hear of Tinley Park because of what God is doing among us at CLC, not that the enemy gets notoriety for inspiring such horrific violence against innocent victims.

Jesus said, "the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that you might have life, more abundantly". Yesterday's tragedy brings it home: we must reach people with the gospel!

Please pray for the families of the victims. At least one of the ladies who were slain has a number of friendship connections with our Shorewood campus, as they worshipped together in a previous church. I'll be ministering there this morning and will possibly give you more info later.

Thinking about your dreams...

Our Men's Fraternity session this week really got me thinking, as Robert Lewis asked each of us men to answer one not-so-simple question: "Before I die, I want to..."

• BE:


• DO:


• HAVE:


• HELP:


• ENJOY:


• LEAVE:

See what I mean? If you're like me, you probably spend so much time just taking care of what needs to be done that you seldom have time to reflect or dream about what you truly want.

Yet I'm convinced that God is the One who placed those dreams and desires in our heart in the first place. In my case, it probably hit hard because I've begun to realize lately that I do have a limited amount of time left to accomplish whatever I want to accomplish. You may not be 55, but that's true for you, too!

Anyway, I've decided I'm going to carve out some time in my schedule to go deep and ask myself those 6 questions of what I really want before I die.

Let's get some dialogue going here - what do you want before you die?

Teach me to pray

One of the 'mandates' I'm sensing from the Lord for CLC this year is raising our level of prayer, both personally and corporately. We had scheduled Eddie & Alice Smith, whom some call "America's Prayer Coaches" for a Prayer conference and weekend of ministry in March, but due to some health challenges that Eddie is facing, we've rescheduled for August 23-24.

The good news is that you don't have to wait that long! They also offer a wonderful FREE 52-week Internet School of Prayer. All that's required to enroll is your first name and email address. Just for enrolling you'll receive a fascinating report/e-book entitled, "138 Ways to Mobilize Prayer"!

Then each week you'll receive a new lesson. To enroll, go here.