Busy Summer
This Summer has been a busy season for me.
1. Sundays and Retreats
I have been speaking at various churches every Sunday and also I attended a number of retreats. There were some retreats I attended as a participant and others as a speaker. I attended the CCNL board retreat on July 10. This was a time for us to discuss our year ahead together. I also attended the Renewal Fellowship board retreat on July 16-17. We particularly focused on the issues related with the General Assembly's recent decision on the LGBTQ issue.
I led a Dorchester Presbyterian Church session retreat on July 27 and 31. We prayed, discussed and learned. I pray that the church session will continue to lead with God's grace, as I'm stepping down from her interim moderator as of August 31.
I was invited to speak at two church retreats, one on August 7-10 and another on August 26-29, both at a same retreat centre in north of Toronto.
On August 7-10, I spoke on the theme of "Love of God." They asked if I could speak on John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16. First night, I spoke from John 3:16, how God loves us so much.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
After the message, because I assumed there might be young people, who did not know the Lord, I invited if anyone would come forward to receive Jesus as the Lord and Saviour. None came forward. I became very discouraged, as I thought to myself, "I can't even preach anymore!"
On the last night, I spoke on 1 John 3:16, how we ought to love others as Jesus loves us.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:16)
After the message, I felt God was telling me to invite them to come forward again, but this time to lay their lives down for God and his kingdom. I struggled because I became worried if they would not respond again like the first night. Then, soon I let go of my own ego and entrusted the result to God's hand. I invited the young people, who would want to give their lives and future to God and his kingdom, to come forward. I wanted to be clear, so I added, "I'm not talking about just wanting to be a Christian. I'm talking about being willing to lay down your life for God and accept whatever plan God has for you, even if it means going to another country as a missionary and face hardship, persecution and even death."
To my surprise, all 40 students came forward. I was expecting one or two might come forward. But, every single youth came forward as soon as I gave the invitation. I was overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed, because I felt the sense of fulfillment. I have a clear personal mission given by the Lord: "To bring young people to Christ and make them surrender their lives for his kingdom." When all the forty youth came forward, I felt God's mission in me being fulfilled.
I also had a wonderful time with another group in the late August as well. I preached at their church a number of times already so I knew some of the young people there pretty well now. I was able to have a number of deep and meaningful conversations. After the retreat, they shared what's called "Rolling papers," notes of encouragement and appreciation to each other. Some of the youth gave me these comments:
"Dear Pastor John, thank you for doing sermon for us. I learned a lot from you and my love for God deepened through your words."
"Dear Pastor, thank you for your encouragement & challenges. Thank you for caring for our community. We appreciate your guidance & teachings! I find your sermons very engaging & LOVE your jokes!"
"Pastor John, I thank God for your service in London. I will pray for you that he opens many doors for you to share the Gospel."
"Pastor John, thank you for the message & leading us in prayer. I think it was truly something I needed. Thank you. I will be praying for your ministry."
"Pastor John, thank you for speaking in truth and love to our community, at the retreat and for Sunday services. You reminded me that Jesus is unlike anyone I have met before, how amazing that such a person could love me. May God continue to guide & bless your family as you continue to submit yourselves to Him!"
"Pastor John, thank you so much for leading our community and being a part of our small group! I was so inspired and learned so much from you. I really enjoyed your messages. Thank you."
"To Pastor John, thank you so much for your help at summer retreat! I really enjoyed your sermons and stories especially! Thank you for helping us. I hope we can also support the ministry you are taking on!"
2. Getting ready for fall
Lots are happening in the fall. Unfortunately, a lot of what I'm currently doing can't be shared in public yet. Some of them must be done in secret until the right moment in future. But, once the right time comes, I will share them with you! All of these, I really believe, are very important work that can help bring revival in London and in our nation.
One thing I can share openly right now is that I'm going to start a Christian club at my son's school, East Carling Public school. There is an organization called Key Bible Clubs (KBC) that has more than 65 clubs running within the jurisdiction of five regional school boards, including Thames Valley School District Board in London. I recently applied to start a Christian club in my son's school and they accepted it.
Ever since we moved into this area in London, my family has always been looking for a way to bring a Christian influence to our son's school, and we believe this will be a great opportunity for us and our son to share our Christian faith and values with his friends at the school.
We need to have one female assistant working with me, so please pray that someone will join us before the club starts in October. Or you can volunteer! You may even get paid!
We appreciate all your encouragement and prayers! Thank you!
In Christ,
John