The Times They Are A-Changin'

This past Sunday evening the circuit churches made BIG moves in our members' meeting.  In short, the churches are moving toward the biblical model of having elders and deacons lead the church.  The first step involved appointing elders.  Each of the elders will oversee (as is their biblical responsibility - see 1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9) two of the circuit churches.  As Pastor Allen shared at the meeting, we must be doing more than maintaining our position in the churches.  We must work to grow, develop, and nurture the folks in each of the churches, while investing in the communities in which they are located.  The current model of the four preachers visiting each of the circuit churches once, maybe twice a month is not effective.  The biblical model of elders meets this current challenge while opening the door for greater "member-care"(different from "Obama-care" or "Romney-care") being headed up by each of the elders.

Of the four men who serve regularly in the preaching ministry within the circuit of churches, three are now elders - Pastor Allen, of course, Pastor Gilmore, and yours truly.  The fourth pastor has commitments outside of the church that keep him from being able to commit full time.  However, he will still serve within the circuit, which is a tremendous blessing because he is a gifted teacher and a wise, godly man!  Mr. Gilmore and myself were voted on by the congregation to assume the role of elder this past Sunday.

Ten years ago, the last thing I wanted to do was be in church - now the church brethren call me Pastor (pronounced PastAH Jon).  God works in mysterious and amazing ways!  Kirsten and I are really excited for what this means for the churches in the Buff Bay circuit!  We are also humbled that the people would choose us to be part of the leadership team.  Please pray for this big change within the churches and pray for me as we step into a more formal role within the church.  Also, pray that this would foster great growth within the spiritual life of the church members, as well as an expansion of each church's role in the life and happenings of their respective communities.

Photo-mania!

Happy New Year!  The past few weeks have been busy but good.  We trust that you had a blessed Christmas and a great New Year - we do hope that this year will be one of great joy for you and your family.  Due to computer issues - that is, mine breaking completely and Kirsten's lacking space - we have not been able to be as plugged in as usual.  We have especially been lax in uploading pictures, so this post is a picture album post of our recent activities.  It is our hope that you will enjoy, share, and rejoice with us in what God has been doing in our lives these past few weeks and months!

More Youth Conference photos

More dedication photos

More Trevor adjusting to life in Jamaica photos

 

More family visit photos

 

More Christmas photos

 

Youth Christmas Trip

'Tis the season

 I will bet that you will have little to no time to read this post - so I will keep it short.  The joy of Christmas is easily crowded out by traffic, "Feliz Navidad" on an eternal music loop in the mall, and remembering at the last minute that you need a pollyanna gift for the office party.  We feel the tyranny of the urgent crushing in on us, too, with special and extra church services.  In addition to the normal Christmas milieu in Jamaica is the hustle of a national election on December 29th. 

Jamaicans are serious about their politics and wear their party affiliation colors proudly.  Unlike the American electoral process, there is no set date for electing a government.  Because it is a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister calls for an election and, BAM!, 27 days later there will be a new government.  As a result, the campaign is fast, furious, and completely foreign to us.  If you need a picture, simply imagine the last week of the presidential election times 10.  Here is a video of nomination day in one town.  The video was taken while I was driving to the bank; it took me 30 minutes to travel no more than 1/2 a mile - but every inch was entertaining. 

That said, this Christmas (our third in Jamaica) we are not spending alone.  Kirsten's parents and brother were able to come down and share in the 80 degree Christmas.  We are thrilled to have them and are looking forward to sharing Christmas with them.  Despite the hustle, we are intentionally taking time to reflect upon the goodness of God in sending His Son.  Christmas in Jamaica is certainly different than in the States.  What is not different is the Gospel, which broke into history in a tangible, incarnate way that first Christmas!  We hope you find rest and joy in Christ our Savior and Lord even in the midst of the hustle and bustle. 

From Kirsten, Trevor, and me - Merry Christmas! 

Growing pains

My arm has started to get tired after holding Trevor for more than 15 minutes.  This means two things 1) I am weak and 2) Trevor is growing!  Another way we know that Trevor is growing is seeing him struggle and fuss with incoming teeth.  Growing pains are real, and they are uncomfortable but necessary and even good. 

Growing pains occur in spiritual growth as well.  There are stages in our Christian life in which we are challenged, frustrated, and exposed to pressure that produce growth if only we yield to God's sovereignty in humility (two things I have yet to master).  Recently, Kirsten and I have seen a season of testing and frustration in various areas of ministry.  My first response is to throw a pity party and try to drum up support for my own cause while vanquishing all foes (actual and imagined).   Instead we are pressing more deeply into Jesus and finding in Him our source of identity and joy.  In pursuing humility, we are realizing that there are lessons we must learn if we are to grow.  There are lessons from our mistakes, lessons from criticism, lessons from difficulty - all of these are fertile ground for growth. 

The message of the Gospel helps us here, especially.  Consider a famous passage from Paul: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)  In other words, for the believer, all tests are to help conform the individual to be and look more like Jesus!  This means we can welcome the growing pains for they are not meant for condemnation (Romans 8:1) but for character building. 

Here are some other passages that speak to this encouraging, although difficult, point:
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Count if all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 1:6-7

Here is the bad news: we are experiencing growing pains.  The good news: we are being conformed to the image of Jesus our Savior!  This is cause for rejoicing, pressing on, and having an ear and a mind open for each new lesson. 

Trevor does not know why his mouth hurts.  But I will tell you this, the first time he eats pizza, the pain will be worth it!  We do not always understand our struggles, our situation, or even the reason - but for the child of God one thing is certain - when we see Jesus... it will be worth it! 

What are you reading?

Last April I had the treat of attending the national conference of The Gospel Coalition in Chicago.  The conference was especially sweet because, aside from world-class teaching from some of the most skilled Bible teachers, I was able to share it with very close friends (and stay with my brother-in-law who lives in the Windy City) who were also attending.  I have since re-listened to many of the messages delivered at the conference (and so should you) and have been tremendously blessed and encouraged.  However, one of the best and most lasting treats of the conference was a little book, and a free one to boot!  The book is One to One Bible Reading: A simple guide for every Christian by David Helm.  In it, Helm puts forward a crazy, yet simple idea - Christians reading the Bible together!  

While we were in the States this summer I finally got around to reading this little book.  I was blown away because of all the things we do in Christian circles - we rarely simply read the Bible out loud with one another!  Shamefully, many of the married folk do not even do this - I am regrettably speaking from first-hand experience - let alone within the context of the church community.  However, this is where life begins and grows - as God's Word pierces, guides, convicts, and instructs us!  That said, after reading One to One Bible Reading I knew that in the context of our ministry this could be enormously beneficial.

Currently I am doing this with four guys three different times and will be adding more soon.  The book gives some tips for books to choose and different ways to discuss, which vary depending on yours and the other person's reading level and Bible literacy.  One of the really great things about this concept (I feel funny calling it a concept because it is simply reading and talking about what you read) is that it is for everyone!  You can read the Bible with a faithful brother in the faith, a new Christian, or someone who is really curious about what the Bible has to say for itself.  It does not require hours of prep like a formal Bible study, and it all happens in a relaxed atmosphere.  So far, we are reading through the Gospel of Mark and Colossians, and to be honest, it is fun, fresh, and tremendously helpful for all of us!  Throughout the reading we are really trying to figure out what God is saying and what that means in our lives, which can be challenging, but the pay-off is immense. 

Please pray for my times with these guys that it will continue to bear fruit and that they would come to a saving faith in Christ as not all of them are saved.  I highly recommend getting this little book (you can read it in less than an hour).  In it are tremendous outlines and questions to consider as well as some great tips to get started.  Lastly, consider doing this yourself with your spouse, friend, or even a co-worker - Christian or not.

"so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

Not safe, but good!

On Friday night while sitting at the dinner table, I had the joy of holding our little bundle while Mommy finished her mac & cheese.  Wanting to be a good dad, I sang to my son.  He laughed, not giggled, but laughed out loud.  Now if you have heard me sing, you would understand the humor in the the previous sentence.  This anecdote could demonstrate our child's advanced musical ability and discernment, which brings me great joy (and a possible opportunity to live vicariously through his skills - but I digress).  The actual point is that this was the second time that he laughed in this way.  The first time I was not around, but this time I had a front row seat.  The sound of his little belly laugh was too much.  Kirsten, myself, and our friend Splendid were in tears laughing at Trevor laughing!  Needless to say - my heart nearly burst with the joy of simple and good things from God. 

James reminds us that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."  Not only in Trevor's laugh do we see the goodness of God, but in so many areas that it would be far too long to share.  What is even more incredible about the goodness of God is that we can trust Him to be good, even when the situation in which we find ourselves seems to betray this very attribute.  Biblically speaking you can think of the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, the life of Job, and even through the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ!  In each of these cases God worked the good for his own (Romans 8:28).

As we continue to press on through the different ministries, it would be lying to say that all is happening in rosey fields with puppies all around.  There are difficulties and struggles, but we trust that God is good and is working.  One last story to give you a better view...  Yesterday I led a service with two people present.  Imagine your church with only two people - you would, like me, feel broken-hearted because the community around is missing the One who can bring true joy; you may even feel a bit frustrated and ask the question, "is this even worth it?"  In that service I taught on 1 John 4:13-21 (read it for yourself).  In the passage it speaks to the confidence the Christian can have because of the work of Christ and indwelling Holy Spirit on the day of God's judgment.  It so happened that one of the two in attendance stated that this was her great fear in life.  I don't know if she was instantly made to be at peace, but she was reminded of the One in whom she has trusted - the one and only True, Good God!

Two points to take home.  One, how well do you delight in the little moments?  Do you see even those as good gifts from God?  Two, if you have placed your faith in our Good God you can trust Him even when, due to the scene around you and your circumstances, you doubt his goodness!  If you have not trusted Him, would you at least consider this Good God today?

On the move

The past week and a half we have been on the move! We have made several trips to Kingston and are finding our stride with our weekly duties. This week is especially busy as we host dear friends from Massachusetts (although some of from other places). The team has had long days beginning at 6:30am and going strong to 10ish at night! When teams are here we try to do as much as we can with them. This team is no different, and we have run with them especially in the mornings (although not the early, sunrise ones) and joined them in ministering with evangelistic outreaches in two locations.

In the meanwhile, Kirsten, Trevor, and I made one of our trips to Kingston to finalize our work visas with the Ministry of Immigration. We are happy to report that we are legal and on the home stretch with only receiving our official Work Permit cards, which is just picking them up! We thank the Lord for providing for our permits without the enormous fee and ease with getting through the bureaucratic system.

While in Kingston, we also took Trevor to the doctor for his 4 month check-up! (People told us time would fly and, boy, are they right!) The little man is healthy, happy, and growing. In addition to the check up he also got another round of immunizations, which he took like a champ. I am pretty sure he has his mother's pain tolerance - because he did not even cry with the first shot, but instead gave a puzzled, curious look to the doctor as if to say - "Was that really necessary?"

In regards to posting pictures and such... We apologize for the delay with showing more pictures of Trevor and our time back, but we are having some computer issues. Well, one issue really - my computer is dead, at least for now. This has thrown a kink into our plans to show more photos and video, but we hope to have them up soon for you.

Until next time...