Light the Darkness

Surprising "Thank You"s

I don't do what I do for "thanks" but every once in awhile it is sweet to hear heartfelt words of appreciation. Sometimes these come from unexpected sources. About two weeks ago I received a note from a student I had when I taught two weeks in Belarus nearly twenty years ago. He is a pastor now. For some reason he remembered me, looked me up on the internet and then wrote a really nice note. He invited me to come for a visit and to teach in his church. It is neat to realize afresh what a difference we make when we serve.

The second note came a week later from a lady who attended Indian Creek back in the early years. She was the first person I knew personally who was raised in the occult. I did my best as a young, inexperienced pastor, to serve, pray and deal with the devil but it was challenging for both of us. I learned a ton, some of which was what not to do! Belinda and my Assistant Judy loved the family and we gave all we had to give. The family eventually left and I always wondered whether we made a difference.  The note I received told me the rest of the story. I won't reveal the content but praise God, there was a tremendous turn-around. She thanked us and acknowledged that more was accomplished than we knew. Her healing was a process and it took time but now that she is free she has written a book tracing her journey from hell to healing.

I share this to encourage you and give praise to God. Don't give up! There is more at work behind the scenes than you know. When God is at work the story is never over. As Phil 1:6 says, He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. Keep on keeping on!

Gary Kendall

Faith Works

Today we got to hear Jim and Mary Davey's faith story when Jim shared the stewardship thought at Indian Creek.  He began by quoting Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. He then told how faith sustained them all along the way during their adventure to follow God.

Just after Easter Jim told me that he felt like God might be leading him to open his mind to a Lead Pastor position. He didn't know where it would be but he wanted me to know he was going to step out in faith to explore the options. While I didn't want him to leave I did want him to be in the center of God's will so if that was to move somewhere else then I was supportive. We began making plans to apprentice Steve Southards for the Olathe Campus Pastor position.

As we moved into the summer Jim was more certain that God was leading even though nothing had come to pass job-wise yet. Jim and Mary decided that they would put their house on the market, so they could be ready if something would come up quickly. They spent the money and effort to get in ready and listed it with "Mr. Olathe", Wayne Janner. That was a big step of faith.

When August came Jim said God was putting it on his heart to set a date to resign even though the right opportunity had not yet presented itself so he did. I thought, this guy has...faith! :) Then a possibility came up to candidate for the North Hills Church of God in Phoenix, AZ. After a couple of visits Jim and Mary became so certain God was leading that Mary quit her job. She has...faith too! All this and the church hasn't said yes yet. By this time their house had sold so if things fell through they would be jobless and homeless.

Last Sunday Jim spoke in Phoenix and the church took a vote.  They voted 99.5% yes to invite Jim to become their new pastor. How awesome is that! Oh, and while they were there they looked for homes and put in an offer on a place they really liked. They were told the odds were long that they would get it but guess what? On the same day that the moving truck showed up to take all of their earthly possessions out of their home in Olathe their contract was accepted in Phoenix so now the stuff has a place to go! Can you believe it? God is GOOD!

I'm so happy for Jim and Mary. We will miss then. They did a super job at Indian Creek on two different occasions. Indian Creek will forever be shaped by their energy, vision, love and strategies. We will be cheering them on and remembering just how faithful our God is. Thanks for telling us the story Jim. We couldn't have written a better script!

Gary Kendall

A Story to Share

I often get notes from people telling me about how God is at work in their life.  I wanted to share this one and Shawna said I could so here it is. 

 

The Little Engine That Could... (Recreated by Shawna Woods)

In the tale, a long train must be pulled over a high mountain. Various larger engines, treated anthropomorphically, are asked to pull the train; for various reasons they refuse. The request is sent to a small engine, who agrees to try. The engine succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain while repeating its motto: "I-think-I-can".

The story of the little engine has been told and retold many times. The underlying theme however is the same - a stranded train is unable to find an engine willing to take it on over difficult terrain to its destination. Only the little blue engine is willing to try, and while repeating the mantra "I think I can, I think I can" overcomes a seemingly impossible task.

Little railroad engine was employed about a station yard for such work as it was built for, pulling a few cars on and off the switches. One morning it was waiting for the next call when a long train of freight-cars asked a large engine in the roundhouse to take it over the hill "I can't; that is too much a pull for me," said the great engine built for hard work. Then the train asked another engine, and another, only to hear excuses and be refused. In desperation, the train asked the little switch engine to draw it up the grade and down on the other side. "I think I can," puffed the little locomotive, and put itself in front of the great heavy train. As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster and faster, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

As it neared the top of the grade, which had so discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, "I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can." It reached the top.

What would you do to help a friend reach the mountain? Genesis

22:14

says so Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." I think about the times in my life the load was just too heavy to bear. I had two children with only one parent. Many outstanding bills that needed paid with one dollar. The list goes on. I seemed too often to be coming up short. When I did, God came through. The last 60days have been no exception. 60 days ago I signed up for the role of a switch engine. I can tell you from experience one must go through a dark valley to stand upon the mountain. The load I carried I agreed to carry in faith bearing witness. The load I carry for friends who have spent so much time carrying their own heavy loads. How often do we say “Let go and Let God”? The better question is how often do we do it?  The economy has hit all time low. Families are being separated due to conflicts regarding money. We spend more time in worry about problems than we do with God that can solve them. I can tell you HE CAN. My testimony is this; I took a step of Faith and into the hands of God. I had no money, no job, no savings account, two children, many bills, and no income to fall back on. In 60 days I was humiliated with doubt, despair, confusion and pride to name a few. I can now reflect on all those things as blessings because all the while inward transformation was taking place. Throughout the last 60 days I have realized how blessed I am to have friends in my life that are selfless. I have friends that are unconditional in believing in me. More important they unconditionally in believing God. Friends that when I suffered through the valley called out “I know you can, I know you can”.

Friends who never let me fall financially, physically, spiritually or emotionally.  Friends I now stand firm in answering the question of what they will do to help me reach the mountain. They are God appointed friends. After 60 days, yesterday I reached the mountain. I was blessed with a new job. I was blessed with my first child support payment in over 10years. One in which covered almost to the penny what I needed to pay my monthly bills. God’s word claims if you put FAITH in HIM alone he will never leave you begging bread. In 60days I never went hungry. God made sure my family had enough. My testimony is this; there is NOTHING too big for God. You can’t do it, but HE CAN AND WILL!

Welcome Home Valera

A friend, prayer partner, mentor, parishoner and teacher to my children graduated from here to her heavenly home this morning.  Valera was a part of the original core team at Indian Creek.  Valera and her mother Margaret were a part of the first twenty-seven brave persons who trusted this young pastor as we launched a new church.  We had no idea what we were doing but this saintly lady who was in her fifties decided to jump on board.  Maybe she knew I needed the prayer!

We built the church on prayer.  We met every Sunday night for years and then when I dropped out of that group to give attention to starting small groups Valera continued praying on Sunday nights until recently when her health slowed her down.  Our family will never know the effect of her daily prayers for us but I'm sure that what she gave us was priceless!  My theory about prayer is that she will still be praying for us daily in heaven.  Jesus is, so the prayer choir of Indian Creekers in heaven is one person larger!

Valera taught each of our children in Sunday School classes.  She was a wonderful teacher.  She had a way of making every child feel important.  Maybe it helped that she could look them in the eye :)  Valera would do funny little things for me every so often to brighten my day.  For example, she would call my phone at the church and leave me a message, only her message was usually something funny she saw or heard.  She would tell a joke, sing me a hymn (because she thought I'd forgotten them), tell me the virtues of cats (because I definitely have forgotten them) or advise me on something that was going on at church.  She was always gentle to remind me that she loved me as her pastor and that she knew it was a hard job.  

Belinda and I feel like we had a cheerleader, mom, confidant, friend and mother all rolled into one.  We will miss her tremendously.  Who else would say the day before she died, now you go to Hawaii and celebrate your anniversary.  If I die before you get back I want everyone to wait so you can do the funeral.  It is not about me anyway I'm going to my new home in heaven.  Isn't that just like Valera?  Valera, I'm happy for you but we will surely miss you.

Gary Kendall 

Pat Turns 50!

Lester Estelle  told his wife Pat this morning that he loves an older woman.  Whew!  That's one brave man.  He redeemed himself by throwing a birthday party for Pat at Zio's on Sunday night.  Nearly 40 people gathered to celebrate their friend or family member.  When it came time to make speeches Lester talked about how blessed he is to have Pat as his wife.  He also let us in on the fact that she keeps him in line. 

We had a good time visiting with the Murguias and the Coffields.  We enjoy our friendship and working relationship with Lester and Pat at Indian Creek.  She is a classy woman who is talented and has a great sense of humor.  I love to hear her laugh.  When I watch Brandon in action I often think of how that he is as much his mama's boy as he is his father's son.  Thanks Pat for sharing life with you.  We are better for it!

A Tribute to Gail

Belinda and I returned home from Christmas @theCreek Sunday to the news that our friend Gail died.  She's been battling cancer since July.  I first met Gail when she attended Alpha.  She admitted that the doctor told her she had six months to live but she was determined to beat it.  Gail was faithful in her prayers and she exercised as much or more faith than anyone I've seen. 

Gail had an incredible witness to her co-workers.  They supported her to the very end with the kind of community you usually see only in a church.  The love of Christ will do that in the life of a person and often other respond in kind.  Her children have no doubt what she believed and wanted more than anything for them to follow her example. 

The funeral is on Thursday.  It is hard to deal with grief anytime of the year, it is espeically tough at Christmas.  Please pray for Gail's family.  It is never easy to say goodbye but you can see the benefit of faith when you see a person like Gail who wants to stay but is also excited to go to her heavenly home at the same time.  Only God could enable that. I'm sad to see her go and happy for her that she is out of pain and enjoying her eternal reward. 

Twitter

I found a new application that is a lot of fun.  You probabably already know about it.  It is Twitter.  Twitter is a part of what is called social media.  It is a way to connect online or in this case via text messaging that builds a virtual community.  I'm having a lot of fun with this one.  You can find Twitter by clicking here.  You create a username and password to form an account.  Then you search for names of people you want to follow.  My user name is GaryKendall.  If you want to follow then every time I use twitter to update my status it send you an update.  You can have them sent right to your phone if you have unlimited texting.  Here is what is fun--when you get a group of people, for example Gary, Belinda, Ben, Matt, Steve, Luke, etc that are following each other then you are in touch throughout the day through the simple, the mundane and the very interesting.  I'm following people I admire like Dave Ferguson, Mark Batterson, Greg Surratt, Perry Noble, Bobby Grunwald, church planters and multi-site guys all.  I'm learning while I'm enjoying getting to know them without really walking with them in real space.  Maybe it sounds a bit funny from the outside looking in but it can be a lot of fun on the inside.  Jump in.    

Gary Kendall

Celebration at the Station

Tim and Jan Stout went early and staked out a spot under one of the  few trees outside vernerable Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.  We joined the Stout family and friends for an evening where we enjoyed the Kansas City Symphonic orchestra and fireworks.  It was fantastic, absolutely the best fireworks show I've ever seen. The weather cooperated perfectly too. The holiday weekend was a great time to give tribute to those who've gone before us and to enjoy friends.  We did! Caleb and Sarah's baby, Alexandria, got the star bidding.  I hope you got some rest and relaxation too.

Hello From America

Belinda and Judy, Sheri says she's praying for you and cheering you on!  You have encouraged us so much with your pictures and with your stories.  We are inspired.  We know you can't get email because your pc isn't working but you can get to the internet so on behalf of all your girlfriends back here in America please know we are on the prayer wall for you. 

Thank you two for living it out in the Philippines.  We know God is using you and we can't wait to hear the stories.  You've whetted our appetite for hearing the great things God is doing.  Your courage inspires us to pray, serve and reach out with God's love here. 

We are especially praying for the overnight boat trip coming up.  I know you don't like the water, isn't God good to sttreetcchhh us!  He is faithful and we can count on Him.  You can count on us too.  We love you.

Check out the new posts including photos at Belinda's blog and at Judy's blog.

Grand Opening Koinonia

We celebrated with Dennis and Anita Carnahan as they opened the Koinonia Cafe in Lawrence, KS, at the Indian Hills Church of God soon to be known as BridgePointe Community Church.  The guest musician was Lester Estelle Sr.  Lester is the WA Director at Indian Creek Community Church and a phenomenal musician.  They did a super job and had a great crowd. 

Dennis became the Pastor a year ago and began what is becoming a great story in Lawrence.  Dennis and I go way back to 1979.  I met Dennis on the first night I led the youth group at the First Church of God in Kansas City, KS.  That night I had a youth group of two, one was Dennis.  I was his pastor throughout his youth group years and we've been friends ever since.  Anita has become one of Belinda's best girl friends.  We are so glad they are doing well serving in the ministry.

Their plan is to have a different kind of music each of the four weeks of the month, hip hop, gospel, contemporary Christian, and country on a rotation.  Their hope is to reach new crowds of people, build community and reach their city.  Over time the church will reflect their city.  Great job Dennis and Anita.  Kudos to Lester!

You can pray that Dennis and Anita will have the wisdom and patience to help this church transition from a crowd of mostly Seniors into a church full of young new life.  Dennis has used his skill as a carpenter to bring much needed upgrades to the facility.  He's used his gifts as a networker to reach a new group of people, young and old, people of color, those with wealth and those without.  I have no doubt Dennis is there for such a time as this.