From August 7 to 20, I will be in Thailand learning from the world’s fastest growing (rural) church planting movement. When I come back, I believe Stillwaters will soon become a global model for urban house church multiplication. God is up to something big, and you all are a part of it! Isn’t it glorious?
Father, please give Melvin power to devour and apply all that You will command him in Thailand. Give him provision as he raises the funds for airfare. Give him peace as this is the first time he’ll be apart from his lovely wife for two weeks. Thank You because we feel Your kingdom coming ever so closer.
Photo: T4T (training for trainers) is a book written by leaders in the movement I mentioned earlier. It will make you feel like you can start a movement too. It will certainly equip you for it. 
Here’s a video from our YouTube channel, featuring a new preacher. His name is Gelo and he’s the “truth-obsessed” guy mentioned in this post. Gelo was very faithful to Scriptures in this his first message. I also love how he actively sought feedback for improvement.
I stole this shot of PJ asking Tim for advice on how to teach a Bible study lesson. Tim is the head of the Wednesday house church. He met PJ last month and discipled him soon afterward.
PJ is a freshman excited to make a difference for Jesus. He has already shared his faith and started Bible studies with fellow freshmen.
Thank you for the faith of these men Father! Multiply them by your power. Spread your fame in this generation. Amen.
In number and in levels of joy. Recently, I’ve been journeying with them as they prepare for sermons. Let me tell you about two of them.
A Heyday house church guy will be preaching for the first time this week. I asked him why he wanted to preach. He said he loves it when the Bible confounds and challenges his assumptions… so he’d like to do the same for others. I was thrilled by the truth-obsession in this man.
A Thursday house church guy is trying something new. He hopes to be helpful to an audience of non-believers. What I loved about preparing with him was his eagerness. First, he’s been asking around for feedback and tips. Second, exploring the context and details of his Bible passage got him all excited. (Great sign in a preacher.) Third, he’s doing all this with exams and requirements aplenty.
Thank You for these students Father. You know how much our generation needs such. Raise up students who will enjoy, display and obsess over Your truth. Because there is nothing like the words of the Living God. Amen.
Photo by: elizaIO
We were driving home, and Flo had a story to share. (One of the many perks of being married to her.) She was refreshed by her conversation with an “irreligious” young professional. It was the questions that got her smiling.
Flo has been a campus missionary for nearly 7 years and so she knows when a contact is simply being polite; i.e. freshmen who attend Bible study because they’re too shy to say “no”. But this young professional she met tonight was quite different. This lady was not ashamed nor intimidated, asking very provocative (but relevant) questions. It was like a breath of fresh air for Flo.
Aaah, conversation where no one needs to fake it. They’ll be meeting again next week.
Photo by: Herbi Ditl
Here’s one more thing about our gatherings that we modified. We now spend about five minutes sharing our personal ministry plans for the week. In that short time, we also share how we did the previous week. This is a completely “no-pressure” exercise, as some occasionally “pass” and don’t ask for accountability.
There are stories of yuppies sharing the Gospel with roommates, high school friends and office friends. We may be on to something. Feels like we’re learning a very good thing indeed.
Side note: Changed venue. Everyone seemed to have more fun over frozen yogurt today. Very yummy discussion.
I was pleasantly surprised by the input of two 16 year old freshmen during the Wednesday worship service today. Pat had just preached an admirably biblical sermon from Ephesians 3. We broke into small groups, as we usually do, for discussion.
The first freshman refused to live as if God wasn’t there to care. He wanted a faith that banked on God to make real differences in life.
The second freshman explained that the “big problems” he has faced so far have shaped him into a stronger person. Now I know that may sound like something from a cellphone text message. But he didn’t end with a presumptuous feel-good statement. He said: “Now ironically, my problem is the little things. Why in the world do the little problems upset me so much?”
It was only recently that Tim connected these freshmen with the personal Jesus. And I’m learning from them already.
You are clearly at work in these hearts Father. Bring a joyful wisdom that confounds the world; may these two be good soil and bear fruit!
Photo by: Santeri Kyröhonka
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