As I write (and as you read), our first MCM Ministry School class is in Thailand preaching the Gospel. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing young people (and old!) giving their lives for the cause of Christ. That’s why I love the MCM Ministry School. I’ve had the privilege of leading worship  once a week throughout this entire first year and the passion of the students is inspiring.

The MCM Ministry School is designed to provide a prospective student not only with classroom training but with real life experiences in ministry.  Every day we involve students in our PRAYER SCHOOL.  Once a week, we engage in PRACTICAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH in connection with one of eight churches that have been planted in Pittsburgh.  Once a year, the students participate in an INTERNATIONAL TRIP to work in partnership with Mission SOS in a Signs and Wonders Festival among UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS.

The passion of the MCM Ministry School is to raise up faith-filled adventurers who are committed to living out the supernatural lifestyle of the book of Acts.  The practical experiences come in the context of a growing church that is actively planting churches and sending teams to reach unreached people groups.

All the details can be found on the NEW MCM Ministry School Website.  We are hosting an OPEN CLASS DAY on May 8th from 9am to noon for anyone who is interested.

You should check this out!

I recently had my debut album reviewed by a big Christian music website. The risk with having your CD reviewed by pros is that they don’t care whether they’re positive or not. They tell you like it is. All in all, a quick but positive review.

For the closing session of our missions trip, I closed with this simple teaching on living a ‘nowhere’ lifestyle – developing a life pattern that reaches out to people. Remember these three F’s:

1. Fix Your Priorities – choose to prioritize outreach as a ‘main responsibility’ in your life
2. Find Joy in Christ – without an ongoing joy in Christ, evangelism will burn out. You must have something to give.
3. Fill Time With People – become a person who engages with people often. Evangelism works best out of relationship.

I’m so proud of the group of young adults that gave their time, passion, and sleep to this week!

This week during our missions trip we are memorizing one verse a day. Something that I’ve noticed is that most people convince themselves that they can’t memorize. I am fully convinced that memorizing Scripture has more to do with hard work than whether or not you’re good at memorizing. Maybe it takes you forever. That is OK. There is nothing, nothing more worthy of your careful thought and meditation.

Next time you are quoting Napoleon Dynamite with your friends, stop and realize what a great memorizer you really are. You just had to watch the movie 80 times and concentrate on the randomness. The same goes with Scripture (other than the randomness). Spend time with it. Quote it during the day.

It will change your life.

“Don’t you know, I’ve been memorizing Scripture like all week?” (read in the voice of Kip).

Yesterday was a Millvale day. Our newest church plant, Element Church, is beginning this Sunday and we had the opportunity to invest in this community for a whole day. For those who didn’t have work that day, we went to a personal care home in the morning. We played Bingo, made crafts, frosted cookies, laughed, talked, and prayed for people. It was some of the most fun all week.

In the afternoon we helped clean up the ‘soon-to-be’ Millvale library. We were moved by Brian’s (the library guy) vision for the place. The work was crazy (tearing down ceilings, bagging up tons of scrap wood, tearing up carpet, and painting. It was amazing. So fulfilling to invest a few hours in such a great cause.

In the evening we all met up and went door-to-door, passing out flyers for Element Church. Can’t wait for what God is going to do  through this church.

As for today:

Daily verse to memorize: II Corinthians 4:5

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

Daily Challenge: Share the Gospel

As you look at today’s challenge, are you scared to death? If so, perfect. You’re just the right kind of person for this mission. It is eternally important that we become people who share the Gospel with those who don’t believe. While serving people and meeting earthly needs are good and necessary, it will not save their souls. We need to introduce them to Jesus Christ. The best way I’ve found to do this is by seeing each and every person you encounter as genuinely interesting. Being interested in who they are, whether good or bad, will open the door to sharing the Gospel. To simply confront someone and begin preaching to them in our culture is not only intrusive but also not always effective. Ask God for an opportunity today to talk about Christ with someone at work. Maybe it’s the same person you’ve been ministering to all week. You are now a preacher of the Gospel!