Archive for 'Missions'
Pray for significant outreach happening now
Posted on25. Feb, 2010 by Kenny.
Over the years you have probably seen my posts about my friends who serve the people in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Their names are Joel and Heidi Hayslip and Burknia Faso is one of the poorest countries in all of Africa. However, the door is wide open for ministry, and the Hayslips are doing some very strategic work. Burkina Faso is a predominantly Muslim state, but the government is very open to ministry team coming in. As a result, Joel and Heidi are equipping churches by raising up and training children’s pastors to reach the children of the remote villages. Reaching adult Muslims is a nearly impossible task, yet the children are so open to Jesus and as a result, thousands of children, their parents and often tribal leaders are coming to faith because of the work being doing with the children.
So, Joel and Heidi have been in Burkina Faso for about 7 years, but just recently they’ve connected with Operation Christmas Child (Samaritans Purse). You may have participated with them, they distribute the shoe boxes to children in need. Well, in Burkina Faso the focus has primarily been on distribution of tens of thousands of these boxes. Joel and Heidi have been instrumental the last two years in working with Operation Christmas Child by setting up actual outreach programs around the distributions and training the volunteers in ways to minister to the kids and families during the distributions. It’s very exciting.
So, as you’re reading this, outreaches have already begun. In the next 8 days, 21 volunteers (African local who Joel and Heidi trained) will do 63 outreaches that will impact over 20,000 kids. They’ve been working very hard to be ready for this and the potential is absolutely amazing. This week, please be in prayer for Joel and Heidi, the teams working so hard and the kids who will get shoe boxes. Pray that they experience the love of Christ in an amazing and life-changing way. Click here to read more about what they’re doing.
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Western Christian culture may vanish in our lifetime!
Posted on08. May, 2009 by Kenny.
I just came across the most eye opening information. As a Christ-Follower in Western society, you must pay attention! According to this information, European culture as we know it today will vanish within our lifetime and there isn’t anything that can be done to stop it. The United States is standing on the brink, but it doesn’t look positive for us either.
Here is what I am talking about.
In order for a culture to maintain itself for more than 25 years, they must have a fertility rate of at least 2.11. That’s 2.11 children per family. Historically, no culture has ever reversed a 1.9 fertility rate. A rate of 1.3 is impossible to reverse.
Here are the fertility rates of some European nations:
- France: 1.8
- England:1.6
- Greece: 1.3
- Germany: 1.3
- Italy: 1.2
- Spain: 1.1
The European Union has a fertility rate of 1.38. That is only .08 away from being impossible to reverse.
What’s the big deal? It’s not that European culture is vanishing, it’s being replaced. The population of these countries is growing through immigration and 90% of the immigrants are Muslims.
In France, fertility rate is 1.8. However, Muslims living in France have a fertility rate of 8.1.
In 39 years, France will be an Islamic Republic.
In the Netherlands, in 15 years half of the population will be Muslim.
In 2025, 1/3 of all European children will be born to Muslim families.
Germany has already claimed that they will be a Muslim state by the year 2050.
Within a few decades, Europe as we know it will cease to exist.
“There are signs that Allah will grant victory to Islam in Europe without swords, without guns, without conquest. We don’t need terrorist, we don’t need homicide bombers. The 50+ million Muslims (in Europe) will turn it into a Muslim continent within a few decades.”
Let’s look at our neck of the woods. Here is our fertility rates:
Canada: 1.6
United States: 1.6
With Latino Population in the United States we’re at 2.11
1970: 100,000 Muslims in the US. In 2008 there were 9,000,000. In 30 years there will be 30 million Muslims in the United States.
This is the first I’ve ever seen of this. I’m not even sure what to feel about this right now. Who knew that dozens of the greatest civilizations of the past 2000 years are about to vanish from the face of the earth. It won’t be becasue of a plague or war, but because we didn’t reproduce.
Holy cow! As intelligent as a civilization we claim to be, how stupid are we to simply disappear becasue we didn’t have enough babies? The thought of this makes me very angry… still processing. Does it make you angry too?
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Josh Kornberg and Give a Kid a Christmas 2008
Posted on17. Dec, 2008 by Kenny.
Okay, this post is really about a simple video you’ve gotta see. It’s a powerful audio and visual demonstration of lives being changed in Africa. So, take five minutes and watch the video, you’ll be glad you did.
Now this video is a little of my “worlds colliding.” You’ve seen me post quite a few times about my friends Joel and Heidi who serve as missionaries in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Well, this summer my intern, Josh Kornberg (you an call him Korndog) met Joel and Heidi and decided to go to Africa to participate in Give a Kid a Christmas. You may have seen me write about Josh, or more notable, Karl Bastion, as he made a HUGE deal out of the Korndog at Kidology U as described in this post. Yeah, that’s a lot of connected people. But, what’s really important is the video. Good stuff is happening in West Africa!
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Things I didn’t know about the Great Commission (Part 3)
Posted on31. May, 2008 by Kenny.
As I’ve said here, here and here, we’ve been discussing the Great Commission in our staff meeting.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is something I’ve always thought was interesting about The Great Commission. I always thought the end of verse 18 was a misprint. It seemed to me that it should say that all authority has been given to “you.” It seems like God is commanding us to go and make disciples, you would think that he would give us the authority to do it. Why would he say that authority has been giving to him? Why won’t he give me some of that authority.
I’m not Bible scholar. I didn’t exegete this passage. But I think I know why he didn’t give me the authority. Because it causes me to daily rely on him. When I try to minister on my own, I do it without his authority. The scripture is very clear. It’s not my words that bring a person to Christ, but it’s him that draws them to himself. I’m just a tool. Ha!
The end of verse 20 wraps it up nicely. He’s reminding us that he’ll be with us until the end. Why the heck do I need my own authority? I’ve got the guy with it all with me always. Perfect!
Lord Jesus, let me daily lean in on you. Let me operate through YOUR authority! Amen.
Technorati Tags: Authority, Great Commission
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Things I didn’t know about the Great Commission (Part 2) Part B
Posted on30. May, 2008 by Kenny.
I forgot to mention this earlier in my this post. I wast talking about how on the day of Christ’s ascension there were some of the 11 disciples who doubted. It truly sounds crazy. How on earth could they doubt? But then I realize that I may not “doubt,” but I often live my life as one who doubts or even doesn’t believe. Seriously, if I truly had the fear of God in my life, why do I still sin so much?
Then I got thinking.
I’ve had relationships all through my life with people who don’t believe in God. I’m really not that good at debating with them. To be honest, I don’t really like it. I like them and their belief… or lack of belief doesn’t change the way I feel about them. I just don’t think I’ve got the words to sway their belief. Many times I’ve heard them say, “If there was convincing and irrefutable proof that God exists, I’d believe.” When hearing a statement like that, I’ve felt the pressure of putting together the irrefutable proof. However, being that faith is involved, there isn’t a silver bullet. There is evidence that God exists and some people are really good at presenting that proof in a very convincing way.
But today I realized something. This statement by non-believing friends is a load of garbage. Maybe it’s not a load of garbage, but it’s wishful thinking. There are scores of people from the pages of scripture who experienced God in a powerful way, yet turned away. Peter denied him. Some of the 11 doubted. Solomon (the wisest man to live) chased after other gods. Judas betrayed him.
Aren’t we just fickle?
Technorati Tags: Doubt
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Things I didn’t know about the Great Commission (Part 2)
Posted on30. May, 2008 by Kenny.
I took one class at college in hermeneutics. I actually really enjoyed the class. I knew that it wasn’t likely that I’d be using my new hermeneutical skills on a regular basis when preparing preschool lessons, but I saw great application for my own personal knowledge and development. One of the key skills taught in hermeneutics is studying the verse in context. When looking at a particular passage, we would have to outline in detail the entire chapter in addition to a less detailed outline of the entire book. The context of the book, the chapter and surrounding verses can have a profound impact on the passage being studied.
Like I said yesterday, we’ve been looking at The Great Commission in our staff meetings. Usually people quote this passage using only verse 19 or sometimes 19 and 20. It also isn’t’ unusual for people to begin their quote starting with verse 18.
However, keeping the rules of hermeneutics in play, the passage of “The Great Commission” actually begins in verse 16. I’ve read the book of Matthew at least dozens of times, but two weeks ago I noticed something I’ve never noticed before. It’s in verse 17. I’ll quote both 16 and 17.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Do you see it? What the heck? Who doubted? Was it Thomas again? There must have been someone else as well if it says that “some doubted.”
It amazes me. These 11 men saw miracles performed by this man. These 11 performed miracles in his name. They witnessed his brutal crucifixion. Then they witnessed his resurrection. And here we are several weeks later and some doubted??? I don’t get it.
I seem to recall that this isn’t a first time occurrence. How often did the Israelites complain against God after they saw him smite (I love using that word) the mighty nation of Egypt. Moses went up the mountain for a little while and his people turned toward worshiping idols in his absence. How does this happen?
Here’s what I’m coming to realize. We’re a stiff-necked people! If I had been one of the 11, I might have been a doubter. Maybe you would too. Don’t deny it, look what happened to Peter when he denied similar accusations. I’ve encountered grace so amazing and have experience the power and love of the God who created the universe, yet why don’t I love him more? Why do I find it so difficult to spend time with him? Why don’t I love others more? Does this put me in the same camp as the doubters? Maybe.
Just something to chew on today…
Technorati Tags: Great Commission, Doubt
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Gateway with a twist of Indian
Posted on30. May, 2008 by Kenny.
This is one of the things I really love about my church, Gateway Community Church.
We’re in a series called “Dialed In: Conversations with the World.” Actually, it’s a series about other world religions. I’m sure many people would ask, why would you devote an entire series to other religions? Isn’t that something you’d teach in a small group or special extra-curricular class? Yeah, I think we actually do that as well. But you may not know our audience. Although Texas is a good ‘ol conservative/right-winged/republican state, Austin is not. Austin is an odd city with a weird vibe. It’s definitely Texas to the core, but with a liberal twist. A significant number of our church came to Christ at Gateway and a significant number of those who came to Christ were not your “grew up in the church but never made a decision” type of people. There are many people sitting in our audience every week wondering if this route is any different or better than the alternatives.
So, this last weekend was supposed to be about Hinudism and Buddhism. I think that both a Hindu and a Buddhist were either going to be interviewed or maybe it was just an expert in these religions. Unfortunately, our pastor, John Burke, called in sick. It was the first time in the 10 years of Gateway. Becasue he was out, we watched a video of a message recorded a few years ago that tied into the message from last week. It was still very good.
But what was really cool was the worship set. There was a very small set of standard instruments. Added to this was a little Indian (No, I don’t mean Native American) band. One guy was playing a very tribal looking set of hand drums. Another guy was playing the Sitar and another guy playing a Veena (I’m pretty sure). How cool is this? And these were not some local musicians who are versed in all kinds of instruments. These guys looked like the real deal. What a great experience. Totally Austin.
Excuse the quality of my photos. I was sitting at the very back and the room was dark.
Technorati Tags: Hinduism, Buddhism, Austin
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Things I didn’t know about the Great Commission (Part 1)
Posted on29. May, 2008 by Kenny.
At staff meeting a few weeks ago, we spent a little bit of time talking about the Great Commission. Yes! This is my verse. As someone who is very committed to the cause of reaching the unreached, the Great Commission is my motto. But I learned something that kind of shook my understanding of this verse.
Don’t worry. My new found revelation has not changed my feelings or passion for world missions. But I do look at this verse a little differently now.
“Go Ye Therefore!” I’ve listened to countless sermons where this was the thrust of the message. The last thing Jesus said to his disciples was to “GO!” This verse has been the catalyst for pushing people out of their comfortable lives a out in the world making a difference.
Then I learned something very interesting. In staff meeting someone asked, “What are the verbs in this command?” Easy. Go, make (disciples), baptize and teaching. Then someone asked, “What is the “main” verb in this command?” Duh. Everyone knows that. Go!
Wrong.
Go is not the main verb. Make disciples is the main verb.
Go, baptize and teach are participles modifying the imperative verb “make disciples.” A better way to say this verse would be “As you go” or “In your going” make disciples. It is thought that as Jesus gave this command, the “Go” was assumed. In the three years Jesus walked with his disciples, they were always on the go. He often spoke about “all nations.” The point that he was making here was that we are to “make disciples.”
Here’s some more information on the context and language of this verse: Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. For me I’ve “GONE” many times. I’ve been obedient to “The Great Commission.” I’ve spread the gospel.
However, how many disciples have I made? (Awkward silence)
Sure, I’ve been a part of helping kids grow in their faith over a period off years. I’m very proud of that. However, when I step out of my role as “Kenny Conley: Children’s Pastor,” and become “Kenny Conley: Average Guy” or “Kenny Conley: Next Door Neighbor,” how many disciples have I made?
Rhetorical question: How well have I obeyed “The Great Commission?” How well have you?
Technorati Tags: Great Commission, Missions, Discipleship
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YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!!!
Posted on16. Apr, 2008 by Kenny.
I hope this got your attention. As someone who loves seeing kids come to Christ, I get very excited about this. I imagine you would too. So, please read the paragraph below and click on the links. All of this will only take 3-4 minutes and you’ll get a glimpse of something very powerful happening in the lives of kids… just a few thousand miles away.
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Mission review (Surge Part 4)
Posted on14. Mar, 2008 by Kenny.
Typically after every event I do, I make notes for the following year. On the server where we keep all the files, I’ll usually open a folder under “Surge” called 2008. In it will be a single word document with all the recommendations for the next year. I try to do this within the week of the event and then close the file out completely and not think of it for a while. It feels very good to close the file and move on rather than dwelling on it continually. So, here are the things I would do differently (but I must preface… there is very little I would have done differently… it was an amazing experience).
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