For my new article, click here.
To students at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary & Boyce College:
It’s Monday afternoon, and I’m on campus until Wednesday afternoon (I graduated in 2001 from SBTS). I’m one of the pastors of Christ Fellowship of Kansas City, and I visit once a semester to meet with college and seminary guys about our church. Specifically, I enjoy sharing about our house church structure and vision for the future, internship opportunities, and even other ministry opportunities in connection with our church (including pastoring).
I am free all Monday afternoon to meet and chat, I will be having supper with Bryan and Benjamin Elliff (the sons of one of our pastors in Kansas City, Jim Elliff) at 5:30 pm, and then I will be available to chat after supper.
Tomorrow (Tue.) I am scheduled to be in Founders’ Cafe from 1 to 3 pm to meet with students. Stop by, introduce yourself, and receive a free book published by Christian Communicators Worldwide. If you would like to meet sometime in the morning, even early, send me an email.
Tomorrow (Tue.) evening, I hope to provide a free meal for some Boyce College and Southern students who would like to converse more about Christ Fellowship, and also their hopes and dreams.
You can also contact me about getting together on Wednesday. I will be around until late in the afternoon.
I hope to hear from you!
FYI: I’m currently at Founders’ Cafe, in the fireside room area (green suitcase), and I’ll be here until at least 2 pm if you would like to stop by.
As most of you know, God gave us a child we named Lilly, and she was born with Williams Syndrome. Since her birth, I have sought to understand her life, and God’s purposes in disability, according to what He has revealed in Scripture. That is why I am so happy to have recently found the following Scripture-driven, God-centered, Christ-exalting, joy-producing, hope-filled blog about ministry to those with disabilities: CLICK HERE.
Most of the articles I have written over the last couple of years can now be found by clicking here.
Click the title: “A Wake-up Call to Husbands in Hibernation”
I offer the pictures below to share where I was today, but images don’t do justice to the sights and smells of my afternoon. Jeff Anderson along with Dave and Becky Majam (and others) are bringing food, hope, help, education, living skills, and Christ into various squatter villages (the poorest of the poor) around Manila (www.actionphilippines.org). The only way to get to one of the villages they are working with is across the San Juan River, which is full of trash and human feces. I’m thankful I did not fall in! Some have. In fact, there was a fire in the village in December and many had to jump in to save their lives. It was a joy meeting the people and taking pictures of the children. The living conditions are horrendous and not the way this life is supposed to be. I got to share with the children from the Bible for a few minutes, and I chose John 14:6 where Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” After they hear from the various workers, they sing, and then they have a Bible lesson. To conclude, they are provided a free meal. What they are doing is much more than just providing a free meal. They are seeking to build relationships with the people of the community and help them in many different ways. These children are malnourished and a first step in helping them medically is to get them “de-wormed” (many run around in their bare feet). They are educating many of the children and teens in the community. Of course, they are faithfully proclaiming Christ to them.
My "safe" ride across the San Juan River
A river full of trash and human feces
Squatter village neighborhood
Beautiful children who heard about John 14:6
With the precious children
Here's godly, humble Jeff Anderson: Great will be his reward in heaven!
With Dave & Becky Majam: Great will be their reward in heaven!
A squatter toilet. Guess where the waste goes.
Riverfront property
Made in God's image, they deserve our respect and hands-on love.
“Their Glue”
by Steve Burchett
[written for Patty, on our 11th anniversary, July 18, 2009]
Into the valley went a young couple,
The two became one for life.
Together they would know joy and trouble,
With Christ there is hope and strife.
A big city was her childhood stay,
Bagels and a quick pace were the norm.
In the country was where he played,
Every three years hidden by corn.
One day at college came a spark,
The providence of God was felt.
Soon a relationship did start,
Conversing, their hearts would melt.
A proposal by the lake accepted with joy,
They laughed and spoke of their dreams.
She gazed upon her Ohio boy,
He looked at her and beamed.
In the state between them, a marriage was born,
God joined them together ‘til death do they part.
From former securities happily torn,
Believing God’s promises was a good start.
Three more years of school and work
Was a happy time for their marriage to grow.
Then on life’s road came a fork,
To the land of sweet tea they decided to go.
Another move later found them back in Ohio,
What lessons they would learn there!
His first pastorate full of joy and sorrow,
And even a season of deep despair.
Once settled in, baby girl appeared,
The young family grew by one.
Feeling the typical new parent fears,
They looked away to the Son.
And then a boy, oh how they praised,
Though the first year was a trip.
A bump on his forehead raised,
But that was just a small part of it.
Now he’s four and she’s six,
Mom and Dad burn with great love.
Together they play and build with sticks,
These two who are gifts from above.
Three miscarriages brought awful pain,
The memories still bring tears to their eyes.
Through it all there is something to gain,
They must trust Him ‘til faith becomes sight.
Into darkness came a kind evangelist,
A relationship was forged and enjoyed.
Then an invite to move to the Midwest,
A new church and ministry would employ.
Though difficult to leave, God’s will became known,
They decided to move to Missouri.
In so many ways God’s grace was shown,
Especially a church for His glory.
Then something life-changing happened,
A girl with a murmur arrived.
A rare syndrome was found when tested,
To the Lord did their prayers arise.
They grieved, yet found hope in the Designer,
His frowning providence for their good.
The curls on her head couldn’t be finer,
Made in God’s image they always understood.
They’re committed ‘til one enters glory,
Even though they have differences, ‘tis true.
He rounds off, she must know the penny,
The Lord Jesus Christ is their glue.
Preston Atkinson is a pastor in Texas who has become a dear friend to me. I know him because of BJ Maxwell, another dear friend and fellow pastor. Preston and I recently decided to start a blog together that will simply feature the poetry we each write. We are doing this as a way both to encourage one another and perhaps, if God sees fit, to help others who might visit the site. Ultimately, our aim is to glorify our great God.
As you will see, Preston is a much more savvy poet than me. I’m so grateful for that, though, because he is both an inspiration and a teacher. In fact, the first poem I ever wrote (sometime within the past two years), Preston read. The poem was not good, but Preston cheered me on, offering helpful insights but not making me feel like an idiot in the process! If you are interested, click here for “The Pilgrim’s Plow: Poetry for The Glory of God While we Wait.”
I will be spending just under two weeks in the Philippines in August. I will be the guest of ACTION International Ministries, specifically ACTION Philippines. I will be speaking five times at a pastors’ conference of Filipino pastors (over 200 men, perhaps). These are men who have little to no training. This is a tremendous opportunity. Along with speaking, there will be time for Q & A, counsel, and prayer.
Along with the three day conference, I will also be doing some other preaching. All of the details are not in place, but I just found out today that on my first Sunday there, I will be preaching for Higher Rock church (metro Manila). I am also looking forward to spending time with other ministries ACTION has going over there, especially to the street children (Click here for a collection of photos from the various ministries there).
For a brief explanation of the needs of this country, go to this page, and under “ACTION Videos,” Scroll down and listen to “The Philippines and the Gospel: Jeff Anderon.” To see the ministry to the pastors, and to get an idea of the conference I will be part of, scroll down on that same video section and click “Pastoral Leadership Development.” On the video concerning pastoral development, you will see Doug Nichols, the founder and international director emeritus of ACTION. I met him last year in a conference in California.
Please pray for this trip.
Click the titles:
“Your Favorite Famous Preacher” (Article written for www.BulletinInserts.org)
“Laughs for Daddy” (A poem I wrote about Lilly, inspired by Luke 6:21b and Romans 8:15)
His name is Conrad Mbewe, and he is currently visiting Christ Fellowship for a few days of preaching and teaching. You can read his personal blog here, and read about his church in Lusaka, Zambia, here. Below is a taste of his preaching:
1. Patty and I have been attending a foster parenting training class (5 of 9 weeks so far), with the hopes that this will eventually lead to adoption. A one day adoption class will follow.
2. I just got back from attending a great conference in Indiana with my fellow pastors and an intern of our church. See www.firefellowship.org.
3. When I got back, Patty and her mom (who is visiting from New Jersey) had completely arranged the garage. It looks awesome.
4. I’m going to the Philippines in August for a little over a week (more on that in another post), and I was just asked to come to Bartlett, TN (Memphis) in October. I’ll be preaching on Sunday morning at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Lawson, Missouri, in a few weeks.
5. Next week, my church is hosting Conrad Mbewe (whom some have called “The Spurgeon of Africa”). It will be a very, very full three days!
6. Katie finished her first year of school. Patty did a terrific job with her. Katie is reading very well, and seemingly loving it.
7. I’m teaching through Luke in our home congregation. We are finishing up our study of John the Baptist in chapter 3 this Sunday. Personally, I’ve spent hours recently meditating on Colossians, specifically chapter 1.
That’s the title of a new article I wrote. Click here to read it.
See the other May articles from CCW at www.BulletinInserts.org.
