Build Bridges then Lead the Way

Last Night Lifechurch was filled to beyond capacity. Over 1000 young people were in attendance to remember Maxwell Rivera's life. The grief and sense of loss was profound. But an amazing thing happened.......The grief and pain in those young people's heart was confronted by the powerful and genuine love of God. They couldn't deny His presence.

Some are asking for leaders to rise up and I would say "look around the room." Last night on the platform, down the aisles and in the seats were teen leaders, counselors, school administrators, parents, educators and student worship leaders. They have been and will continue to lead the way. Perhaps this will cause an awakening in the hearts of others to "follow the lead." Or perhaps this will cause generations to link arms tighter and 'build bridges' because never has and never will one generation do it alone!

Psalm 71 reflects David's desire and yearning to pass down to the Next Generation what he has seen God do in His life. The amplified reads:

17-24 You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you?

That is my life chapter....God use my life until I'm old and gray to show your greatness!! May I make You famous!! To think that in that very sanctuary that was once a Wesleyan College Gym, I stood as a teenager worshipping God during a concert. Now many years later I stand there again with hundreds of young people crying out to God. Who would have thought the Lords plans would have been to use my husband and I to lead the way in making this a place of hope and light to the next generation. WOW!!!!

Last night was like none I'd ever seen....though Nicky Cruz had told us of similar times he had experienced. The weeping was intense in that room...... a cry of grief, a cry of hopelessness mixed with cries of surrender and brokeness. Though tragedy brought them to that room it was the love and realness of God that had captured their hearts. It was undeniable........not man but Jesus!!

I spoke with an educator that has a long history in the Bethlehem area. He stated "we are all so grateful for Lifechurch and it's people for providing a haven for these young people to go. When I was growing up and something like this happened we had nowhere to go, we all had to grieve on our own. Thank you Lifechurch!!"

May we continue to lead the way........... We may not be where we should be, but we sure are not where we were. Every generation will do "their part". I'm endeavoring to do mine while I'm still here. And when I'm gone may the Next Generation say "She led well."

Fighting for Generations

Two Years ago on Mother’s Day…..I shared a message on the State of the Church amongst generations. I went on to say:

“…..Why must we turn the tide? And why is it so crucial that we capture the hearts of this generation, the Millenial Generation? What’s at stake?

Perhaps the statistics shared by Dr. Sweet that of the 330,000 churches in America 75% are not growing or are declining. Of the remaining 25%, 24% are growing from what is called ‘transfer growth, believers that go to another church for what ever reason. The remaining 1% is growing from ‘New Growth’….unbelievers coming to Christ.

You see I believe we live in an unprecedented time in History. Never has a generation been more at risk. It’s the 1st time in Modern History that over ½ of the worlds population is under the age of 20. The “Faith” that was once in the hand of 65% World War II Christians was passed down to 35% Baby Boomers, which in turn was handed down to only 16% Gen X’ers. Unless the tide turns this decline will continue to a slim 4% of Millennials (ages 18-29).”

The front page of yesterday’s USA Today read, “There is a decline in church attendance amongst young adults.” It stated that young adults felt as though faith was irrelevant in today’s world.

Research has found that young people are committed to churches not built for them but built by them. Around the country, Millennials are flocking to churches that:
-Are led by authentic leaders
-Embrace technology
-Include night services (even weeknight small groups)
-Serve the poor and suffering
-Strive for community
-Encourage creativity
-Allow young leaders to lead at the highest levels

Last night I had the opportunity to rehearse with a group of the most amazing young people (Millenials). As part of the Lifechurch Student Worship (LCSW) they passionately and unashamedly worshipped their God. Growing strong in their musical skills and grounded in their faith they have “stepped” up and want to be the first to impact their generation. They aren’t so much interested in religion or the traditions of man as they are in a vibrant relationship with Jesus.

Tonight at the Memorial Service for Maxwell Rivera they have an opportunity to bring comfort through Worship to many of their friends who have lost a peer because of a tragic event. Truly religion and the traditions of man can be found to be "powerless" in the face of deep grief.

May we continue to Fight for this Generation. May we pass down the Life and Principles of Jesus and may we help them become fully devoted followers of Christ that impact "their world".

You Have Not Passed This Way Before

New seasons come in all of our lives. This is a time when things change and what was once familiar looks different. Whether it’s a job, a house, a relationship, or a career----if you have not passed that way before, it’s new to you.

One of the biggest obstacles to accepting change is fear---- simply because we’ve never been there before. Many questions arise… “Do I go back to what was familiar, comfortable and safe or do I journey through the “unknown” on my way to my ‘next destination’?”

Many times during transition we feel pressure….mental, physical and even spiritual pressure. This pressure can actually work for us. The reality is with change comes a pressure that causes us to stretch. We stretch in our trust in God as we depend and rely more on Him. Our confidence is stretched as we focus more on our God-given purpose. Our faith is also stretched causing us to not give up but instead stay the course to our new destination.

You may be feeling “pressured” from all sides today. Let me encourage you to let the circumstances that could “suffocate” you to be the very situations that strengthen you and raise you to a new level…..

There Is Hope In Haiti

Matthew 25:35……”For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me……..

Tuesday, February 9^th ‘The Journey Begins’

My husband and I boarded a plane, with a team of “Lifers” to help bring a little bit of ‘Life’ to Haiti. For me, it was my 1^st trip to this country. Though my family is from the other side of this island, called The Hispanola, I had never crossed the borders of La Republica Dominicana into Haiti. Truly it has awakened my heart to the Extreme Need.

The road from Santo Domingo to Haiti (Fonds Parisien and Santos 19) is unlike any road I’ve ever traveled. There are many mountains, small villages with colmados, farm animals, mopeds with 2-3 passengers, potholes and speeding trucks with very little lights. Night travel and the lack of transportation rules truly tests your faith.

We made our way to the Love A Child Orphanage (LAC) and I met the children from Rescue Children Orphanage. I also met the beautiful children from LAC. The faces, the smiles and the hugs of all the children……. Indescribable.

The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative Partners with Love A Child

To see the patient tents set up on the grounds with doctors and nurses from many nations was a sight to behold. It was awesome to see how the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative has executed this great medical relief. But there was great sorrow to witness the magnitude of loss these patients have experienced. Multitudes of amputees of all ages, moms, dads, sons and daughters…..it’s devastating. Having experienced this in 2008 with my mother-in-law, I know 1^st hand the extreme pain and grief with the loss of a limb. I endeavored to bring comfort and peace, tent by tent.

Fasting, Prayer and Repentance

President Preval declared 3 days of repentance which included fasting and prayer. All throughout the country people were dressed in white and gathered in churches and paraded the streets singing songs and praying. To see a country in such grief yet able to lift their voices together was truly amazing. We stood in front of the Presidential Palace, crumbled and there thousands gathered to raise their voices. Amongst the crowd you could hear these words in English over a loud speaker…. “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord in Haiti”. Though it is not the present reality, these words fill the air with the hope that some day it will be so.

Little Girl Bernie

The poverty prior to the earthquake was extreme, but now the devastation has left many with very little hope, like little girl Bernie. My husband had found this little girl in a “tarp city” of approx. 2500 people. Bernie was severely malnourished. Though she lived with her Mom it was obvious she was not being fed much. After Randy’s initial visit with the LC Missions team, he had Stefan (from Feed The Hungry) and I make another assessment. As a nurse I knew she wouldn’t survive in the conditions she was in….a tarp tent, dirty water, mother wasn’t nursing her and sleeping on a dirty/damp mattress with hundreds of flies. The mother did not agree to have her be transferred to the Malnutrition Clinic at Love a Child despite the fact she was 1 yr and 4months old and only weighed 9 lbs. We gave Mom formula and electrolytes and hoped she would feed Bernie.

A few days later Randy returned with another group of doctors that together assessed the “tarp city”. At this time Mom agreed to have Bernie transferred to the Malnutrition Clinic. I’ve been visiting Bernie each day, feeding and bathing her. She has gained 2 lbs and looks forward to my visits. (Pictures to be posted soon.) My heart breaks for this little girl. What does her future hold? Must she return to the same place she came from?

Santos 19

Many have been the stories that we have heard from this neighborhood. Some tragic……but in the midst of great loss there has been much LIFE. Through the partnership of Lifechurch Missions, Medical professionals from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (the Medical relief based at LAC) and volunteering neighbors, 3,600 patients were seen at the LifeClinic since the quake. The name is not what is important as much as the Life that came from this humble clinic made of tarps and cots, stocked with resources from medical supplies, medicines, food, tents, shoes and LOTS OF LOVE!!

Early in the morning the patients would line up to be seen. They endured the trek through rubble, sitting in the sun to wait their turn to be seen by one of the doctors….doctors from around the world. It was beautiful to see medical professionals from all over work together for one common cause….HAITI!

I gave Tetanus shots and MMR vaccinations to many. Wounds were cleaned, and injuries examined. Babies continued to be born. What a delight for me to teach a first time Mom (19 yo) how to nurse her child….WOW. And to give her baby it’s 1^st gift, a blanket and outfit set. How rewarding!! With every shot I gave, every hug I gave, every wound I cleaned, every eye I wiped…the word was never forgotten………every patient echoed these words… MERCI (thank you).

Many had never been seen by a doctor before. Some came hungry, others having experienced great loss and many with great despair in their eyes. Lifeclinic was a source of Hope, giving each person and family a sense of worth, value and dignity.

I thank God for everyone that gave to help make this happen….from those in the midst of the action, to those back home willing to give of their resources. THANK YOU!

The Children

Between working at the Clinic and going to Santo Domingo with my husband to help bring back stoves for the Medical Relief at Love A Child (funded by RCO), I was able to spend time with all the children, both from Love a Child and Rescue Children Orphanage.

I can’t express how grateful I am that Bobby and Sherry opened “their home” to the RCO kids. This provided a temporary place of safety and peace. What compassionate hearts I witnessed in these leaders. They have been in Haiti serving for many years and truly have a heart for this country. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to spend time with them. So much has changed for them here, but they are so willing to do “whatever” needs to be done. They have also provided land for the ARC (American Refugee Committee) that is helping provide shelter for those patients that are discharged from the Hospital along with their families. As of today there are 111 tents (500 +) people. World Vision has partnered with them, providing food.

The children are so loving, always providing such warm welcomes. Everyone of these children has a story, some of which you can see in their eyes. Yet despite the reality of their stories each evening they gather to lift their voices in prayer and worship. Absolutely inspiring!!! A choir of voices lifts up songs of hope and promise….declaring where their help comes from. The first night I joined them on the piano, while one of the children played the drums and another the keyboard……….the sound was breathtaking!!

Perhaps this is one of the keys for the restoration for Haiti. The Next Generation. A generation that knows from where their help comes from and is not ashamed to worship Him passionately. What a joy for me to have been able to inspire worship amongst these children these past 10 days. You may never hear the sound of these angelic voices, but every night, at 7pm, there is worship being lifted up in a village in Haiti that demands that attention of heaven.

Perhaps those voices are being joined by the thousands of others, that despite the loss of home, the loss of limb, the loss of income, the loss of family and the loss of food have made a choice to “lift up their eyes to heaven and call out to the God that formed them and loves them……Jesus.” There is HOPE in HAITI. May we continue to partner with this country.

(Pictures of my journey to be posted next week.)