Light the Darkness

What Will History Say?

The year was 1996.  We were 11 years old as a church.  We were a congregation of about 500 who had been worshiping in schools since day one.  We weren’t a large group but we had a big vision.  We had a sense of urgency.  We knew we couldn’t keep setting up and tearing down indefinitely.  It was wearing on us and we knew we needed a place where we could do more than just meet for worship.  It was time to build a facility.  But it was expensive!

 

I remember a very poignant Sunday afternoon where those that stayed after church met in the lunch room to celebrate the conclusion of a financial campaign.  That was a defining moment for us as a church.  I remember being very nervous that day because the stakes were high.  We were in a financial campaign to raise the money to build and I didn’t know if we had the will and the faith to step up to the plate.  But when it was all said and done that small group of 500 gave $330,000 over the next six months for a down payment and we pledged $2.5M over the next three years.  They also fulfilled their pledges. 

 

It meant that we could build Phase One of this building you enjoy today.  We built the Activity Center, the kidzAlive! offices and Little Treasures classrooms.  Over the next three years that group of 500 became 1,000 and started building Phase 2.  That commitment ushered in the most dramatic time of growth Indian Creek has experienced.  You are indebted to them and until this moment many of you had never heard that story of faith.

 

They made a way for the original group of 25 to become 2,500+ because of their faith and their commitment.  Their commitment was a lynch pin between the faith of the founding core and who we are today. 

 

That is one of my favorite stories because I believe we have a similar defining moment in front of us a church.  We are four weeks away from our last Sunday together as two campuses, the Gardner campus launches on Easter Sunday, April 12!  But you know what?  They couldn’t do what they are about to do without a supporting life system and that is the congregation in Olathe.  Olathe is like the parent who is about to give birth.  We are excited, a little scared and counting down the days until they can hold that precious newborn in their hands.  

 

We as a church have the opportunity in front of us now to do what that congregation back in 1996 did for us a little over ten years ago.  We can set up the next generation to win at Indian Creek.  Our choice now is a lynch pin between the past and the future.  As we move into this next chapter of life as a reproducing congregation it will cost us to give birth but the life of this new campus will be vital and it will grow quickly.  We get to make that possible by our commitment, our generosity and sacrifice.  We today, are recipients of grace and now it is our turn to breathe it out and give it away.

 

We know what history says about that group.  They stepped up and delivered.  What is it that history will say about us?  Within the next 90 days history will write a story about you and me.  How will it read?  Will it read that we sacrificed, that we stepped up in faith, that we were generous and foresighted enough to pave the way for a new campus in Gardner to help people find their way back to God? I hope and pray it is so. 

 

Gary Kendall

China Report

I wrote a blog last week about the privilege of traveling to China with one of my mentor's Enrique Cepeda.  Here are his thoughts on what he observed and experienced. 

 

Every time God has given me the privilege to visit countries like India, South Korea, and now China, I come back with new insights of how the Church of Jesus Christ is growing.  Their spirituality is a challenge to me.

It seems that the world is moving East-politically, economically and also spiritually.  As I have been in South Korea about 5 times.  The Korean Church has a vision for the rest of the world particularly for the countries along the silk route. As I visited China on this trip I can visualize how God is preparing the Church in China to be used of the Lord to take the Gospel to Jerusalem and the rest of the world. 

Let me share what I have observed about the Church in the East.

• The Church in the East has a simple faith, but effective.  We in the West we have such a sophisticated faith that it takes us forever to see results.
• The Church in the East is a praying church.  We have so much to learn from their prayer life and their prayer life and their passion, but also their joy.
• The Church in the East is a spiritual church. We have here in the West our spirituality has become rather cold and formal (but we thank God for those churches here in the West that has not lost their passion and their love for our Lord).
• The Church is the East is a missionary church. God has been preparing the churches in India, China, and South Korea to become missionary sending countries.  Already the South Korean church is the second missionary sending church in the world. 

• The Church in the East is a visionary church. These churches have a vision for the rest of the world, especially for the countries along the silk route.  I was in a meeting where the Chinese church is praying for 100,000 Chinese missionaries to take the Gospel to Jerusalemand touch the countries along the silk route. Wow!

 

It was a privilege for me  to be part of this trip, where I saw first hand the Church of Jesus Christ in action in China.

Please pray:

• For workers, “the harvest is pletiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field” (Matt.9:37-38).
• For funds. To build churches, for missions, evangelism and discipleship
• For training. For well prepare leaders with world vision and passion for the lost.
• For us in the West.  To be more sensitive and consecrated to the Lord, to make a commitment to the great commandment and to the great commission and to be able to influence not only our generation, but the one of our children and grand children.

Thanks again for your prayers and please be willing and available when the Lord knocks at the door of your heart to go.

 

Dr. Enrique Cepeda

Executive Director Thomas School of International Studies

Thank you Enrique.  You are right on target.  Gary Kendall

The Hill Country

When we started Indian Creek Community Church I prayed God would give us the hill country.  There is a story in the book of Joshua (chapter 14) that tells of Caleb and Joshua being the only two voices calling for the children of Israel to go in and take the Promised Land of Canaan.  Not only did Caleb say, we can do this but he also said, I want the hardest, most difficult, land to take.  The fact that giants lived there only motivated him more.  Wherever the battle will be the most fierce that is where Caleb wanted to be because he was zealous for the honor of His God.  Most of the Israelite people trembled in fear and most of them didn’t get to go into the Promised Land because of their lack of faith.  But Caleb and Joshua did possess the land and Caleb was given the hill country.  He was 80 years old but he claimed that land and he conquered it for God and for his people.  Twenty-three years ago I asked God years ago for a BIG, God sized dream—one that would truly honor Him.  One where it would be obvious—God did this!  And I believe He is answering that prayer.  I believe that not only can we fulfill the vision God is giving us but I believe we will do it.

I remember driving into Kansas City for the first time. I drove in from the west on I-70.  Somewhere about the Bonner Springs exit you come over a hill and you can see the city of Kansas City.  I’ve stopped there and taken a picture of the city skyline before.  I prayed, God would you give us the city of Kansas City.  I know it is a crazy dream.  How could one church reach a whole city?  I felt stupid initially praying that prayer.  And then I thought no, God is big enough.  He loves the whole city—why not pray, God give us the city of Kansas City?  So I did and now have prayed that prayer many times. 

That was almost 30 years ago and now today we are launching a plan that over the next 11 years would enable us to plant multiplying, neighborhood campuses across this city that could total as many as 20 churches by the year 2020.  We want to help 5,000 plus persons find their way back to God.  If we believe in the God who created the universe, and we believe He listens to our prayers why would we not make plans for Him to answer our prayers?  I’d have to question if I really believe God and if I really believe He honors our prayers if I didn’t make a plan where He could answer the prayer.  I believe God is going to show up in the midst of our plans and reveal His true love for each individual.  In addition I believe we will rise up as on body at Indian Creek and find life at its best. 

Gary Kendall

 

Your Justice Journey

We wrapped up the Justice Journey message series last Sunday but hopefully the ripple effect has just begun.  If you were not able to attend I point you to two resources that will help you keep up with where we are going as a congregation.  One is the written message.  If you'd like the text of the message you can click here Download Reach Out Final. If you prefer to go to the podcast you can follow this link.  The title of the message is Reach Out.

If you didn't hear Sally Rymer that alone is worth the time to listen.  Sally is a junior at Lee Summit High School who was arrested in her spirit by the life's work of William Wilberforce  as depicted in the movie Amazing Grace.  You can watch the trailer below.  Sally started a website called Clapham Sect phase II that educates people on modern day slavery.  There are 27M in slavery as prostitutes, child soldiers, workers in slave factories, etc.  Initially her quest was to provide information about the fact that slavery continues to this very day.  But her message was received with such enthusiasm that it has grown into a movement.  You need to hear her story and share it!  Check out her website. And then pass it on.

Gary Kendall

Do we Only Call them Human if they are Wanted?

Despite facing threats of disqualification, a 12-year-old girl took first place in a speech contest when she eloquently argued for the rights of unborn children – after an offended judge quit. "What if I told you that right now, someone was choosing if you were going to live or die?" the seventh-grader begins in a video recording of her speech on YouTube. "What if I told you that this choice wasn't based on what you could or couldn't do, what you'd done in the past or what you would do in the future? And what if I told you, you could do nothing about it?" The girl, a student at a Toronto school identified only as "Lia," continued: "Fellow students and teachers, thousands of children are right now in that very situation. Someone is choosing without even knowing them whether they are going to live or die. "That someone is their mother. And that choice is abortion."

This is an excellent presentation and a super example of a common person who is on the justice journey we've been discussing on Sundays in February.  She stands up for the unborn who can't speak up for themselves.  Good for her.  May her tribe increase!

Gary Kendall

A Day to Pray

We had an extra day in Hong Kong because our Chinese partners needed to do something different so I was thrilled to take advantage of 24 hours in one of may favorite cities in the world.  I truly can't explain the love I feel for China and the Chinese.  I know it comes from God.  Anyway, all kinds of ideas went through my mind of how to use the time but the one that won the day was to move around to various places in the city and pray. 

I sat on an outdoor terrace on the third floor of the International Finance Center and looked over Victoria Harbor from the HK side.  I went up to floor 55 in the tallest building in HK, I rode the Star Ferry a couple of times across the harbor, I sat on the waterfront by Central Pier,I sat on the Walk of the Movie Stars on the Kawloon side and watched the sun go down and the lights on the Harbor come on.  And all through the day I prayed.  It was a great time with God and a great place to get away.  It is amazing how I could be in a city of somewhere around 6M and know I have God's complete attention. What a great God we serve.

These days I'm contemplating how I can be a better lover of God.  I've got the worker part down.  I want to be better at loving.  I want to be bold in my praise and I want gratitude to come easily from my lips for the One who loved me first.  I don't want to be a user--I want to be a lover.  I'm asking God to teach me how.

Gary Kendall

Wild Goose Chase

I finished reading Mark Batterson's latest book, Chase the Wild Goose, on the return trip.  Here is what the intro says, Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.

I loved it so much that I asked the guy across the aisle from me if he had heard of the book or Mark Batterson.  He had not so I gave him my copy.  I laughed, found my eyes wet with tears, rejoiced and went, "oh man" that got me!  This is the perfect book for where we are right now as a church at Indian Creek.  It made me want to live my life all over again and enjoy the faith jouney more the second time.  Okay, since that's not possible I want to start loving the chase.

Gary Kendall

Precious Time with a Mentor

This week our team included Enrique Cepeda who has long been a mentor of mine.  He has known me  since I was a boy.  We got reacquainted when Indian Creek started taking teams to Monterrey, Mexico back in 1987.  We have been connecting regularly for the last 22 years.  Enrique is the head of the Thomas School of International Studies  at  Mid America Christian University. He was the very first national to serve with Project Partner.  He is a man of prayer and he is an encourager.  He is a great teacher and he loves to resource others.  His main focus these days is to provide internationals with the opportunity to get their Masters through MACU. He was recruiting while he was here!

It was great to talk, pray and dream together.  He gave me great counsel about a number of things and the time we had to spend together was priceless!  Enrique has a discerning ablity to hear from God and it was wonderful to pick his brain.  The next day or two he will say, God woke me up last night with this thought...what a privilege.  We saw and heard some of the most exciting stories I've heard in my life.  We met dedicated people we saw faith in action and we got the chance to process it all together.  I shared a lot about our vision at Indian Creek and solicited his feedback.  It was very postive and he gave me some good ideas.  I thank God for Enrique and his presence on this trip it was like a bonus!

The Church in Hong Kong

It was a privilege to reconnect with Jamie Nachtigall who along with her husband Patrick, lead in a Church of God here in Hong Kong.  We spent the morning exploring the New Territories, checking out the church facility and catching up on the ministry here in HK over Dim Sun at a nearby restaurant.  Patrick is writing a book and doing research in Kenya so he was unable to join us.  Jamie is the one on the right.

The history behind this church is inspiring.  When Hong Kong was about to be turned over to China most of the adult leaders left in concern for what might happen after the turnover.  They suggested to the youth that they be very careful.  However, the youth determined that they wanted to keep the church open and assume the leadership roles and they did.  Now ten years later they have a vibrant church of nearly 200 and almost all are in their twenties and early thirties.  Many are single.  Last year they had 8 marriages!  There are only 5 children in the church.  It goes to show what the younger generation can do if they have the opportunity. 

Their church is located on the second story of a corner just across from McDonalds and above the Jockey Club where many come to place bets on a Sunday race!  More importantly it is two blocks from the train station.  Most of the people do not own a car as they can get everywhere they need to go by mass transit or by walking.  We've put in many miles ourselves getting around Hong Kong.  The church is very active in the community and is outreach oriented.  Several like this young lady pictured, Jeanette, are preparing for ministry through their training.  Jeanette has taken it an extra step to become a Pastor by attending seminary.

This week has been a very full week and it is a privilege to hear so many inspiring stories.  If you want to keep up with Patrick and Jamie Nachtigall on their blog you can click on this link www.chinatimesonline.com

Gary Kendall

I am part of a Lost Generation NOT