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What Am I Missing??

June 2, 2010 in Mission with 3 Comments

On each mission trip I lead someone always asks, “What should I pack?” I also hear “how much should I take with me” in our pre-meeting trips. These are great questions to be asking as one prepares to leave on an international trip. In todays world with travel fees and limited luggage space we need to ask ourselves what are the most important things to have with us.

I have utilized a packing list for many years. I do not always take each item with me, but I list everything on one sheet of paper so I can decide what I will take based on the trip and the needs. I hate forgetting things or realizing later that a particular item was not listed on my travel list. Therefore, my list is updated often with new “potential” packing items. Again, just because it is on the list doesn’t mean I pack it for each trip. I like having the option to decide for each trip if certain items are necessary.

Packing List for Mission Trip

  • Underwear
  • T-Shirts (under)
  • Casual/Dress Shirts
  • Shorts
  • Pants
  • Belt
  • Socks
  • Shoes/Crocs
  • Swimsuit
  • Shampoo
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Earplugs
  • Meds
  • Razor
  • Contact Stuff
  • Glasses/Cases
  • Cell Phone/Charger
  • Computer Stuff
  • Checkbook
  • Cash
  • Bible
  • Pictures
  • Food
  • Passport
  • Money
  • Tickets
  • Books/Mags
  • Bible/Journal/Sermons
  • Camera/Video/Ipod
  • Phone/Charger
  • TV/DVD
  • Teaching Material

Are there things I am missing?

Read All About It

June 1, 2010 in Family, missional with 0 Comments

I want to introduce you to Cheryl Read.

Cheryl is a cousin to my wife Amy. Cheryl and her husband, Chris, live in Northeast Texas and have four (4) sons. Her family is an excellent example of a family who are living on mission for Jesus right in the middle of suburban U.S.A. . They are not a perfect family and she will probably kill me for posting this, but they are an ordinary family that is seeking to live out the call of Christ in their community.

It all began with a trip to Ghana several years ago. Cheryl was following what she knew was obedience to a command to go. Upon returning from Ghana she started returning yearly with people and supplies that would not only help people physically but also spiritually. She has since helped begin an organization that is active working in Ghana. If I remember correctly she has been active in Ghana for over seven years.

Cheryl also is active in a refugee ministry in the inner city of Dallas. I am so challenged in my walk by her family. The Read’s have not made being on mission a segment of their life that is lived out each summer in another country.  They are active in their Jerusalem each week.

I encourage you to go and check Cheryl’s blog and follow along with her as see seeks to be salt and light in the world she has been placed to lived and the world she chooses to go to.

Global Cities and Church Planting

May 25, 2010 in Belgium, LifePoint Church, Sending Church with 1 Comment

Here is great video from our partners at Upstream Collective. It is about planting churches in global cities and the importance of their placement in the world. This video speaks volumes to why we feel it is important to be in Brussels. It is only 3 minutes long so give it a whirl.

Jet Set London // Aaron Coe from The Upstream Collective on Vimeo.

Brussels the Capitol of the Free World??

May 25, 2010 in Belgium, Influence, Sending Church with 0 Comments

Joseph Biden, the Vice President of the United States of America, made some pretty remarkable statements recently when he addressed the European Parliament.

“As you probably know, some American politicians and American journalists refer to Washington, D.C. as the ‘capital of the free world,’” Biden said. “But it seems to me that in this great city, which boasts 1,000 years of history and which serves as the capital of Belgium, the home of the European Union, and the headquarters for NATO, this city has its own legitimate claim to that title.”

I knew God was calling us to a city that was influential and strategic but “the capitol of the free world.”

What do you have to say about this?

Read the whole article here.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle #2

May 24, 2010 in Influence, Mission with 0 Comments

A few weeks ago I asked you to send me any women’s issues books from a Christian perspective.  LifePoint Church partners with a local ministry in our church that ministers weekly in a women’s prison in Nashville. This ministry is faithful each week to go in and be the hands and feet of Christ. They have been in need of books that address the Christian life for women and there specific needs.

You have responded in great ways. I personally received around 100 books that have been given to the director of the ministry. She is in the process of sorting the books and getting them into the library at the prison and into the hands of the ladies she knows. There have been others of you who have given books to the director personally, thank you. I recently received a phone call from my sister in Texas telling me she had a box of books that her church had collected for this outreach. Thank you so much for getting involved. It’s not too late if you still want to jump in on the good things happening.

Systematic Humor

May 14, 2010 in Books with 2 Comments

I think Wayne Grudem‘s Systematic Theology book is one of the best theology books available. It is very accessible to any reader.

Here is a funny skit that was performed by a university group about Grudem. If you watch this and laugh you must be someone enjoys reading and studying theology.

H.T. [DGM]

S*ff3ring and 3vil

May 14, 2010 in Books, Leadership, Mission, Uncategorized with 2 Comments

I have been reading about a couple of topics lately that not many people in the United States and the western world do not like to discuss. In fact, I couldn’t even type the words. I think my computer is having problems and wouldn’t allow the letters to be put together to spell the words.

Several months ago the I began to sense the Lord leading me to learn more about what it means to “share in the suffering of Christ”. Here are a few of the books I have been walking through as a read and try to digest. I haven’t completed all of them but I am in process.

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper and Justin Taylor

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

If God is Good by Randy Alcorn

Any words you would like to add to this discussion I would love to hear them.

I would love to hear from you about passages of scripture that help you explain suffering to others.

Sending Church Video

April 27, 2010 in Belgium, LifePoint Church, Mission, Sending Church with 0 Comments

LifePoint is working hard to follow God on His mission to reach the nations. This is not just a call to cross the ocean but to also cross the street to your neighbor. Hope you enjoy the latest video about The Sending Church. Check out the information concerning the Belgium team.

April 25, 2010 Sending Church Promo from LifePoint Church on Vimeo.

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

April 26, 2010 in Influence, LifePoint Church, Mission with 1 Comment

Here’s a great idea…..

I would love to help you reduce clutter on your bookshelves, in your closets and on your desk.

I have a way to help you reuse some books that are specifically targeted towards women issues.

I want to ask you to recycle the books you have already read.

I am looking for used (and new) books by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Kay Arthur, Sheila Walsh, Elizabeth George, Nancy Leigh DeMoss and others.

There is a ministry that our church is involved with that works in the women’s prison  in middle Tennessee and they are in need of books that help women address issues form a biblical perspective. We can help make a difference by putting the books we have used back into circulation.

If you can help please bring your used books to the church office at LifePoint Church. If you live in another city or state mail your book to LifePoint Church, attn. Kyle Goen, 506 Legacy Dr., Smyrna, TN, 37167.

Thanks for your help.

Articles From Upstream Collective Site

April 13, 2010 in Belgium, Family, Mission, Sending Church with 0 Comments

The Upstream Collective recently published two articles on LifePoint and the Belgium Church Planting team. I am linking those articles here for you to read.

Amy’s Interview

Church’s Call to Belgium
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