Lots of Progress

It may be hard to believe, but one of my New Year’s resolutions is to blog more often. Luckily I have a whole year to make this work.

Much has happened in these many weeks and it’s very exciting. We now have 18 adults on board our Launch Team that will help us prepare to have everything in place to formally open Village Church to the public. We’re praying that happens by Easter.

We have secured Sunday morning rental space at the 19^th Century Club in Oak Park. Located in the heart of downtown Oak Park, the 19^th Century Club (also known as The 19^th Century Charitable Association) is a huge blessing. The building is beautiful and historic. The social club has been in existence for more than 120 years and has worked hard for causes ranging from women’s suffrage to life-long learning and social responsibility. I’m amazed that we’re going to be able to start our church in such a wonderful spot. And the staff and board of the 19^th Century have been so kind and encouraging.

Now we are engaged in getting things ready for launch later this spring. We have a team member who has graciously led the creation of a children’s ministry. It’s going to be a place where kids learn about the Bible, God, and His love for them. Several team members either discovered excellent musical ability or finally overcame their humility to tell us about it.  And I personally am wrapping up a clear explanation of our mission and vision for this ministry. How will we best impact the community with solid Bible teaching, relationships and service? We know those three things will be a big part of Village Church.

We got a huge boost of support of finance, prayer, and manpower from Village Church of Dyer, Indiana. (No, I didn’t give them naming rights to our church because of their support).  The congregation members have wrapped their arms around our project with significant commitments. They agreed to sponsor our church with at least $30,000 in financial support each of the next two years. They have committed to pray regularly for us. And they also pledged to send people all the way up to Oak Park to help out on Sunday mornings when we launch. It’s all overwhelming!

Needless to say, things are going well. But there is much to do. We are busy, but God is directing and sustaining.

For those of you praying for us (and we REALLY appreciate you) here are a couple of specific points.

1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to guide our planning and work. Also, pray that He is working in the lives of people in Oak Park and the surrounding communities.

2. Pray that God will continue to protect the families of the people working on this church. Spiritual warfare is real!

3. Pray that God will keep us operating with solid integrity so we never ruin our witness.

Thanks for the prayers and support. God is on the move!

 

Thanks

During times of great sorrow we see God’s grace in new ways. Usually it’s through people.

Many of you know my mother died unexpectedly on New Year’s Eve at the age of 56. I’m still in a fog in which I know what’s going on is real, but I just can’t believe it. It’s painful, sad, and confusing. Yet, in all of the emotions, God shines through.

An old friend from California called in the midst of funeral planning. He didn’t know my mother had died, but said the Holy Spirit had been tugging at him to call me that day so he finally did. We shared a great 30 minute call filled with mutual encouragement and celebration at how God works. My new radio family at Moody has been unbelievably supportive this week. My voicemail, email, and snail mail boxes have been filled with messages from Moody Radio personnel. I’m just a vacation relief host, but they’re loving me like family. These people, combined with many Facebook, Twitter, and email messages from radio friends I’ve never met have been so encouraging. And that’s what I mean when I say God uses people to show us His grace.

God offers the peace “which surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7) and this has been granted to me over the past 10 days by the people He has sent my way to comfort me.

 

Parents Impact More Than Just Their Kids

I spent some time this week at a funeral visitation for the father of a childhood friend. His name was Hershel Benberry (also the name of his oldest son). For several decades he taught students how to drive in the West Aurora High School District. I knew him because his son and I were in grade school at Covenant Christian for many years. Hershel (the younger) and I spent a lot of time together as kids. There were sleepovers and baseball games. Lots of kids’ stuff. It wasn’t until I was driving to the visitation and reflecting on things that I realized the impact Hershel (the older) and his wife, Laetitia, had on me.

I remember them as good parents. They always had a good mix of expressing love, discipline, and high expectations for both of their boys. And they loved Jesus. I mean that. There are people who are Christians. They go to church, hang in Christian circles, and are generally good citizens. Then there are people who love Jesus. Hershel was one of these people. Laetitia still is.

Christian parents are under pressure to instill a knowledge of the Bible in their children and to teach them to honor God. God blesses them with the opportunity to “train up a child in the way he should go.” But their impact doesn’t stop with their own kids.

That’s because their children have friends who hang around the house and are influenced. They see the way the parents interact with their children. The friends observe the character of the parents and are impacted by it.

I don’t say this add pressure to parents, but understand that the way you raise your children impacts many more people than just your kids. God can use you to influence your children, their friends, and countless other people who come into contact with them.

That’s what Hershel Benberry and his wife did for me. And I’m eternally grateful.