Manila Update

Final Update: One day in Bangkok...

I'm on my way home this morning after spending an encouraging and refreshing day with Gary and Paula Hays, EFC and Foursquare Missionaries to Thailand. They have just come through a tough season of physical challenge (Gary had a SERIOUS bout with Ecoli) and in spite of that they have continues to surge forward with exciting new outreach endeavors throughout SE Asia. Their primary focus is to reach these nations through children's evangelism, and doors have been opening for fruitful outreach in Burma, Cambodia, Laos and throughout Thailand. Their enthusiasm and passion is contagious. Being that I was only with them for one day, we spent the much of the day seeing a few sights that they had never before seen in this remarkable city. Thank-you everyone for your prayers! I will now begin my long journey home!

Update...February 28th...(Thursday).
I am grabbing an hour at a Starbucks near the Kabayan Hotel, where I am staying. The training location is one train stop from the hotel, which has been pretty convenient. I can get back and forth on my own efficiently. In a half hour I will be having dinner with the Forras family as well as Val and Sally Chavez.

The training has been really good. The leaders here are young and inexperienced but eager to learn. The trainings that we are doing will be quarterly and are 2 1/2 days long. I also have been able to make a great deal of progress regarding the re-organization of the UCPP. I met yesterday with Val (President of Foursquare Philippines), Roy (District Coach), Rey (District Supervisor) and Pete and we plowed through a lot of questions that need clarification. I have some "homework" to do when I get back to put these in writing. I realize I need to start working on my sermon for next weekend (after I get back). I also am speaking that week at the big Christian Educator's Conference at Overlake. I need to get cracking on those.

I have taught 5 times during the past two days and had quite a few meetings. Tomorrow I will be going to Bangkok to visit the Hays before heading home. I'm sure I'll update my blog from there.

It is late on Wednesday and I am trying to get my blog updated before my computer battery dies on me. Yesterday was my first day in Manila, and it was a long day. It started on Sunday at home and seemed to be three days rolled into one. It included a couple of teaching sessions at the UCPP training event at the Philippino Convention of Evangelical Churches (PCEC). The training has been well attended and has included enthusiastic participation. I take the trail a short distance each day from my hotel to the center. Today I taught twice more, as will be the case tomorrow (the final day of our training). Computer access is limited, as has been phone access. I have yet to successfully access my email. Oh well...Here are some photos...

On Mission With God - Sermon

John 20:21

You can listen to the MP3 of this recent sermon by clicking here: http://blip.tv/file/688056/

View the PPT slides HERE.

People Power Anniversary

On Sunday afternoon I am travelling to the Philippines. The last time I was there a coup attempt took place. It was a non-event. Now it looks like there could be another attempt next week -- although most reports minimize the possibility. It may make things interesting for my trip. Thank-you for your prayers! I will keep everyone posted. Right now we have a team of "educators" working with the pre-school teachers and we have a medical team travelling there soon.


Saturday, February 23, 2008 -- The Manila Times

Military braces for coup
New troops comeahead of rallies on EDSA anniversary
An Army unit has been deployed throughout Metro Manila to brace for a coup against the government of President Gloria Arroyo, the military said Friday.
“It [deployment] will form part of our operational readiness and contingencies to prevent any attempts [at a] power grab,” the region’s military commander Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa told reporters.
The “only aim” of the deployment is “to preserve democracy, ensure that the Constitution is followed, that the laws of the land are enforced,” he said.
Mesa added that the authorities were not aware of any specific security threat, but that they fear Islamic militants could take advantage of rising political tensions to mount a terrorist attack on Metro Manila.
The Army battalion, comprising four companies of infantry and 32 tanks and armored vehicles, will beef up the security forces in Metro Manila, the country’s premier region.
The deployment came as opposition forces stepped up street protests calling for President Arroyo’s resignation over alleged corruption, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.
Malacañang confirmed the apparent show of force, saying it was aimed at maintaining peace ahead of the planned public demonstrations against the Arroyo administration by opposition groups next week.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said security forces in Metro Manila were augmented to preempt any attempts by forces critical of the government to sow terror in the region.
He added that the move was a regular security procedure whenever there are big mass actions. Ermita said he hopes that the demonstrations will be peaceful.
The government, Ermita added, is not threatened by these street protests because it believes that the military is solidly behind it.

The government has declared a national holiday on Monday, as opposition forces plan public rallies to mark the 22nd anniversary of the bloodless, military-backed “people power” revolt that ousted then strongman President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
Mrs. Arroyo has fended off opposition calls for her resignation amid corruption allegations surrounding her husband and a key political ally over the controversial national broadband project. Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and Benjamin Abalos Sr., resigned chairman of the Commission on Elections, have denied the charges.
Leaders of the country’s powerful Roman Catholic Church, some of whom are supporting the resignation calls, have called for their own prayer rally next week.
The Armed Forces said the public should not be alarmed by the arrival of fresh troops in Metro Manila since it was normal procedure and part of the military’s operational readiness.
Mesa said the Army battalion and the 32 tanks and armored vehicles will stay put at Camp Aguinaldo, the military’s general headquarters in Quezon City.
“They are available for anti­criminality [work] when requested by the police and they can be deployed [also] to prevent power grab,” he added.
Mesa calmed down the public on the rumors or threats circulating through text messages that the military is to withdraw its support for Mrs. Arroyo.
“And we would like to warn all those who would cross the line or challenge the duly constituted authorities that they will be met with the full force of the law,” he said. --Anthony Vargas, Angelo S. Samonte and AFP

Visit from Japan

It was great having Foursquare leaders from Japan in our neighborhood for the Reaching Japanese for Christ Conference. The leaders included Regional Coordinator, Corey Grinder, Yo Masui, Kadeshjah Barger and Kumi Kitano. They all are associated with different Foursquare Churches in Japan. We enjoyed dinner at The Mongolian Grill, which Corey assured us was fortunately inauthentic. Some day I hope to have a layover in Japan and visit them there.

Out of Town and into "All the World"

This Sunday afternoon I will be travelling to Manila, Philippines, for 5 days of Pastoral Training with the leaders of The Manila Project. I will be blogging while I am there. I will be teaching six times during the training while also visiting some of the churches. At the end of my trip I will be visiting our missionaries in Thailand (Gary and Paula Hays). Gary has just come through a tough battle with a dangerous illness. At the same time, a new Foursquare Church is being built in Bangkok -- one that Eastside has helped fund through the Legacy Tithe fund.

Thank-you for your prayers. I will be gone from February 24th - March 2nd. I plan on blogging as often as possible -- including photo updates from the training, travels and visits.

If you would like to make an investment to help educate the poorest children in Manila, make a contribution to Manila by following this link and designating towards the Manila project.

From Locked Up to Sent Out

John 20:19-23
19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

What did Jesus mean when he said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you"? How did the Father send out Jesus? To do what?
Speak with authority
To do good works
To reveal who God is
To cause people to believe in God
Heal the sick
Perform miracles
Love the disenfranchised “Seek and save the lost” Luke 19:10
Live a life of love and sacrifice
Forgive people

Yes, but is this realistic? How about raising the dead or walking on water?

This weekend I will be addressing these questions as we look at the Great Commission of John's Gospel. The title of the message is "On Mission With God". I hope you can be there.

Room to Spare? -- Power Point and Audio

This sermon was spoken at EFC on Feb. 9 -10.

It is about outreach, missions, hospitality and compassion.

The audio (MP3) file is HERE.

You can access the Power Point HERE.

View of Others -- School of Ministry

Here is my complete Power Point presentation from the School of Ministry at Eastside Foursquare Church.

Room to Spare?

For the past 17 years, Heidi and I have had a continuous stream of “guests” living with us in our home – friends, exchange students, interns and renters. As you can imagine, this has been both challenging and rewarding.

We live in a culture that struggles to find the balance between privacy and hospitality, between community and individualism.

This weekend I invite you to make the services a high priority in your scheduling by joining your church family for a time of inspirational worship and encouraging teaching. My message is entitled “Room to Spare” and will look at the dramatic Old Testament story of Mephibosheth – a “disabled” orphan who lived a remarkable life. It will be the final message of the “Our House” series.

James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

I also invite you to begin praying about your part in supporting The Manila Project during 2008. This is a specific way that we have united to offer hope to the needy in a way that is literally touching thousands of lives every week. Please partner with me in prayer that we would again be able to meet the budgetary needs of this project.

Did you know that you can now give to EFC online? Click HERE to access the “Secure Give” website for tithing or supporting The Manila Project and The Legacy Project.

Interdenominational Reconciliation Forum at SPU

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Next week, on February 11th, I'm going to be part of a panel discussing "denominationalism" at SPU. You're welcome to come out if this topic interests you. Directions and details are found HERE.

Check out these questions. It should be an interesting conversation. The panel will include some diverse perspectives (It includes a Greek-Orthodox Priest, a Roman Catholic, and others...)

(1) What is Christian unity to you? Is unity among churches necessary? Is denominationalism a hindrance to the universal church?
(2) What is a significant obstacle that denominationalism presents in our world today?
(3) What charism does your church tradition bring to the overall body of believers?
(4) How would you react to the following situations?
There are three Christian churches on the same street as the church you pastor. Would you celebrate the growth or decline of the church next door even if the church tradition is different from your own?
A new member approaches you after a Sunday service and tells you they just had a bitter end with another local congregation of a different denomination and love attending your church. Is it a good thing that they like your church or would you recommend they reconcile the relationship with their former church?
(5) How far does Christianity stretch? What does your church tradition consider to be beliefs and practices of a good Christian?
(6) What is the state of the Christian Church today?

I like the fact that Eastside (where I am a Pastor) is dedicated to "Interdenominational, worldwide evangelism". This is a pretty inclusive position. I have met many churches that were very exclusive (labelling all other expressions of Christianity as being "cults").

What do you think? Are we more divided than we realize? What part do we have in the problem?