In my last post, I wrote about the “unfamiliar” aspect of faith. In this post I would like to touch upon the significant place of reliance we need to have in faith. I have found myself relying a lot on other folk for the things I was easily capable of doing in Seattle. Just getting around in Coimbatore requires the engagement of several people to get me from one place to another. And… I have to trust these people to get me there and back safely. I am being fed a steady diet of curry infused food by a cook that serves as a plumber (a coconut fell from a palm tree and broke a water pipe that shut down the water for a few hours—that in itself was interesting to hear; but I was also told the cook would repair it). No one feels comfortable letting me go out and roam around in part for my safety, and the possibility of getting lost. Personally, I don’t think a 6’2” white guy with silver hair sticks out all that much in India!

All of this to say, I am learning to trust others in this foreign land. How quick we are to trust in ourselves and how much we want to stay in that place. Let’s face it, it is easier to trust ourselves than it is another. Our journey with Jesus takes us to unfamiliar places; places we have never been before. It requires that we not only embrace these new places, but rely on Jesus to help us “live” there. I am being challenged in India, to rely upon the Lord in new areas. This is faith; going to a new unfamiliar place, relying on Jesus in the new place for the season he has us living there. I am convinced that is where he wants us to live as a congregation.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken

I want to thank everyone, who with prayer and personal resources, have supported this mission. I ask that you continue to pray with me over the next 3 weeks for God to accomplish a good work in the future pastors that are attending Bethel Bible College (www.bethelbiblecollege.in) and the churches where I will preach. Pray as well for John Lindow, Dave Skaar and Matt Alvis as they lead the church in my absence. And as always, I will continue to pray for you all. It is an honor to be a part of a congregation that loves those within and without its walls. I take with me your love of Jesus and India.

I hope to post a blog each of the 14 days I am in India. I hope you will visit it (www.arborheights.org) and post a response when you can. It is a wonderful way to keep in touch from the other side of the planet. As well, I hope to Skype with you for a few minutes on the first two Sunday mornings and bring you live updates from India.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken

A break in the middle of the Faith series. Remembering September 11, 2001 Ken Ross shares his response and some parallels in scripture concerning modelling repentance to an unbelieving world. 9-11-11

A break in the middle of the Hebrews 11 Faith series. The Cost of Faith, Dave Skaar shares examples of counting the cost and putting God’s blessings on the table giving everything back to him; personally and as a church. 9-18-11

The Cost of Faith part 2, Dave Skaar continues the subject of counting the cost. Sharing insights from John 12:42-43. 9-25-11

Getting out of the boat. Christian faith that trusts Jesus completely. Insights from Matthew 14 by John Lindow. 10-2-11

Cambodia:
Joyce Johns: ministers in Mondulkiri province Northeast Cambodia her ministry is both medical and personal Christian encouragement and support (disciple making).

Soueth and Syna Lou: minister in Popiet province with medical assistance and small group Bible studies in one of the most corrupt areas in northwest Cambodia.

Pastor Jun Mun Oh: ministers to college graduates and young families in Phnom Penh through church planting and small groups.

Pastor Myungsuk Kwon and Elder Kangsuk Kim: minister in Prey Veng province to country side churches in eastern Cambodia.

Jeff and Vonnie Everson: oversee a young womens ministry in Phnom Penh

Ecuador:
Randy and Joy Newburn: administer AWANA clubs throughout South America, and Central America. Their family is also involved in that ministry.

India:
Pastor John Prakasam: oversees ministry at Bible College dedicated to sending disciples out into other areas of India, a secular training school in an attempt to reach out to Hindus, and a feeding program to former victims of leprosy. The ministry is located in southern India.

Mexico:
Checo and Coriann Flores: serve in Moneterey, Mexico. Checo services as part time Pastor in a church in the poorest part of the city. The family is located in Austin Texas due to the violence in Moneterey, Checo had to relocate and visits the church once a month.

Pete and Donna Merry: serve in the highlands of central Mexico with small group support, and congregation assistance.

Russia:
Bob and Lisa Merrill: serve in Moscow Russia in neighborhood outreach and small groups.

United States:
Dr. Sahara Chea: ministers to the unreached local Cambodian community, and Cambodian inmates in Washington State Prisons.

Short Term and Overseas Church planting:
Pastor Chamron Phal: services as pastor of a Cambodian church in central California, USA. He is also very involved in church planting in Cambodia. He makes that trip at least once a year. He contributes to the Cambodian Christian web site with preaching.

Pastor Radha Manickam: oversees ministry in Siem Reap Cambodia and makes at least a yearly visit. He assists in ministry at Sonrise Evangelical Free Church.

Koliyarn Kong: Heads the CEC (Cambodian Evangelical Church) women’s ministry. She frequently makes short term mission trips to Cambodian with her mother and a number of other ladies.

I appreciate the support of Pastor Ken Ross (Arbor Heights Community Church) in allowing me to use their web site and giving his prayer support.
God’s Blessings thank you for your continued prayer support.

This second message in the Helper series addressed the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers.  Jesus speaks of “another” Helper (John 14:16), the Spirit of truth, that will teach us all things pertaining to our Christian life.  In the same way that Jesus came to “help” us out of our former life by means of salvation, the Holy Spirit gives us a new life (born again of the Spirit) and then helps us life that life successfully.2-7-2010

Third in a four-part series on the Holy Spirit as our Helper, this message considers how the Spirit helps us to minister to others.  Utilizing Acts 1:8 as the basis for the message, Ken weaves in the subjective (you shall receive power) benefit and objective (and be my witnesses) responsibility of the baptism of the Holy Spirit for believers.  Ken presents three things that those who met in the upper room may have done as they await the arrival of the Spirit:  wrestle through “be my witnesses (embracing the cost); redefine community (the Holy Spirit would change everything) and finally, pray for the promise (ask and ask and pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to come).2-14-2010

AHCC, like most churches, is a church in transition.  We are still discovering who we are as the church.  In a way, discovering this is like discovering who we are as individuals.  How we view ourselves can either keep us from achieving our potential or launch us toward it.  I have known too many people who could not fully see how God made them and subsequently they allowed themselves be less.  So it can be with churches. 

Jesus did not hesitate telling us what He thought about the church and He employed multiple metaphors to illuminate His view.   The Flock, the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ is but a sampling.  When considered together, Jesus clearly had a grand perspective of His church.  He expected it to reflect the divine DNA from which it came into being.  Like Him, He anticipated the church would be world and history changing. ..I’m not sure that is what we are seeing today….at least in America.

I suppose we could get into a really heated discussion as to what is wrong with the American church.  But I would rather focus on its potential greatness.   Just a cursory reading of the Book of Acts, reveals not just a dynamic ecclesial leadership, but a powerful ministering church.  As such, the world of the early church was not so much changed by its leaders as it was by the community of Christ followers.  These believers rocked the Roman world.  They lived lives that Christ modeled before them and they continued the ministry to others He started.   In a sense, looking at Christ ought to give us a glimpse of who we are.  In the word of the ancient Antioch church we are “Christians”, “Christ-like”. 

I guess I am freshly challenged to consider who I am in the light of Jesus.  I am too quick to define myself “by” myself.  But that should not be the case.  I am in fact “in Christ” (Ephesians 1) and now He is, in great part, what defines me.  This of course is even more applicable to His church. If we want a clear view of who we are, we need only look once more to our Lord.  This perspective can launch us to our potential as the church, the Flock, the Body and Bride of Christ.    

What do you think?