Mission Alive

Charles Dickens’ opening line to A Tale of Two Cities “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” typifies this year.

2006 has been “the best of times.” God has blessed his work through Mission Alive in unimaginable ways.

• Local churches are being renewed as they plant new churches and see God’s mighty acts through theses churches. They especially learn from the patterns of speaking the Gospel to searchers and spiritually growing to maturity in Christ that occur from within these new churches. With awe they witness an ancient-future type of transformation. Those dead in sin are made alive with Christ by God’s saving grace (Eph. 2:1-10). Sinners put off their old selves with all deceitful desires and put on “a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22-24). God’s light dissipates darkness. These renewing churches in turn are becoming beacons of light. By unselfishly giving for God’s mission they learn what God’s mission is all about.
• In the process new churches are being planted in such places as Denver, Atlanta, Lexington, Austin, and Fort Worth. The number of Mission Alive church plantings is growing from three last year to a total of seven this year to a projected fourteen in 2007.

The word that symbolizes “the best of times” is LIFE. God is bringing life to many partnering churches. God is bringing life to many who have been dead in sin. God is bringing life to this little ministry called Mission Alive. But . . .

in the midst of life . . . death.

2006 has been “the worst of times.” We don’t know why. We wish we did. During the year we have experienced the greatest of tragedies. The death of our first-born son, Jonathan, age 34, on Feb. 12. The death of our dear African co-worker Cyndi Chowning, age 56, on June 14. And finally, the death of my mother, age 86, on October 24. What tragedy, this thing called death!

These are the few words I spoke at the end of Mom’s memorial service:

This morning we awoke to thunder and rain. The Kipsgis of Kenya, among whom we ministered, say that rain illustrates blessing. Is it possible that this day of mourning is also one of blessing?

So, it is raining today.

• Rains of sorrow streaming down the cheek.
• Life-giving rain giving birth even in the midst of death.

Frequently we do not want rain. Inconvenient. Sloppy. Dangerous.

 

It is easier to live with dryness.

We have come here today rejoicing that God’s rain is dissipating dryness. We cry both in sorrow and in joy.

• Sorrow in this awful loss of death, the vacuum it creates within our hearts.
• Joy in precious memories of her life, in you who have gathered to reflect upon her life with us, and hope of eternity that we have by the immense grace of God.

God knows that we need rain. For it is life-giving,

Thank you, O Lord, for our mother, Lorna. Thank you that she gave birth to us. Thank you for her focus on the church, the center of her life. We pray, O Lord, that you care for her and for dad and for Jonathan eternally in your bosom. In the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.

The word that symbolizes “the worst of times” is DEATH. The emptiness of loss. The desire for reconnection. Reflecting on our last moments together. But . . .

In the midst of death . . . life.