We just put Jacob on an early morning flight bound for Boston. He will spend the next two months working with a church plant in the Back Bay area of the city. He’s really been looking forward to this for a couple of reasons: he’s interested in church planting, so this will be a good…
Category: Missions
The Gathering 2019 Theme: Connections
A couple of weeks ago, I preached a message revealing and outlining our theme for the remainder of the year. If you weren’t there (and especially if you are a covenant member of The Gathering), please take time to watch this message and begin to look for ways in which you can make these vital…
Aliens in a Strange Land
In Galatians 1:3-4, Paul writes that Jesus “gave himself to rescue us from this present evil age.” It seems like every day we’re confronted in new and more blatant terms just how evil this present age is. On the one hand, it can be heart-breaking to see a culture in constant decline and that reality…
Making Disciples
The mandate for the Church is to “go into all the world and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:18-20). If we’re a part of a “church” and not doing that, and doing it effectively, we are hard-pressed to say we are a church. I think that we are to do this is hardly debated. HOW we do…
What a Gift!
Amazing video of the Kimyal people receiving the Bible into their own language for the first time. This is a good reminder to me on this Christmas Eve of the blessing of Christ coming and the very Scripture that reveals Him that I so quickly take for granted. God, forgive me. To have that kind…
Goats are Cool.
With one week left of our “Give a Goat” drive, The Gathering has currently raised enough money to purchase 54 goats and also 61 nets through Samaritan’s Purse! That is exceedingly cool. Thank you so much to the people of The Gathering for getting behind what had to have sounded like a crazy idea…
A Christmas Revolution
Tired of Christmas as usual? Had it up to here with the long lines, long bank statements and long recovery time? If so, I want to invite you to join the revolution to take back Christmas. No, not that kind of revolution. I’m not advocating boycotts or signing petitions, nor am I encouraging you to…
A Review of The Generous Soul
If you’re looking for a great gift for a loved one this Christmas, I highly recommend Marty Duren’s new book, The Generous Soul. Especially during this season of Christmas, it is so easy to get caught up in the consumerism, stress, overs-spending and debt that characterizes American life every day. It really is a vicious…
On Mission
The report yesterday on the mission day in Atlanta was awesome. I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for The Gathering. So many important doors are being opened and it’s incredible to watch our people excited about walking through them. On Saturday, we had 7 people join with a great team from Birchwood Baptist…
How to help in Haiti
A letter to members and friends of The Gathering: As I am sure you have been following the events of the past week related to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, you are probably feeling the same desire as I have to “do something” to help alleviate some of the suffering. It is difficult to know…
2010: Year of the Mission
I met with our Mission One:Eight Team this past Wednesday night and left so encouraged and excited about the coming year at The Gathering. God has moved in some pretty big ways over the last couple of months, removing the inward focus that largely characterized what this church has been, bringing a fresh wind of…
Mission to Peru – October, 2009 Video
Check out my previous video from our first trip in July here.
Hearts to Peru
I’m really excited that the people of The Gathering have recognized the work God is doing in the Yauyos region of Peru and have opted to follow His call for us to join Him. Last night in our ministry meeting, we officially adopted that area as a mission focus of our church and are joining…
Dr. Alvin Reid on The Cost of a Great Commission Resurgence
I came across this exceptional article by Dr. Alvin Reid of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, titled Do We Really Want to Pray for Revival? The Cost of a Great Commission Resurgence. If you care anything about the Church (the organism, not the institution), please take the time to read this insightful and challenging article.
Are you going to change the world?
I read this quote recently: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” How crazy are you?
The President to Attend Worship Service in Chinese Church
What I see as a pretty amazing opportunity is the news that President Bush will be attending a Chinese church while attending the Olympics. I can’t imagine a better way to spotlight the necessity of human and religious rights for the Chinese people than for the American president to actually attend one of their services.