Mission Alive

By Gailyn & Becky Van Rheenen

Enthrallment. Celebration of life. Another generation. What is more powerful than the sounds, sight, and feel of a new baby?

On Friday, the 25th, our first grandson Eli Jonathan Van Rheenen was born. He weighted 6 lb. 15 oz. at birth and was 20 inches long, skinny like his father. I wonder what relationship we will have, how he will grow to maturity, what faith decisions he will make, who he will marry, and what he will vocationally do in life. Early tomorrow morning Becky and I travel to Louisville, Kentucky, to see and hold the little guy and share the joy of parenthood with our son Jonathan and his wife Nicole.

In Africa I have seen churches plant churches to the fifth generation and have felt the joy and personal relationships of a multi-generational family. Today there are 250 churches in various areas of the Kipsigis people of Kenya because of germinal reproduction. Over the years we have experienced the birth of new generations of churches.

Churches planting churches who plant churches in North America is God’s vision through us in Mission Alive. It is time for our churches to also plant churches to the third generation.