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Fall 2011
about... People of Promise
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But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
a holy nation, a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
Investing in young 'People of Promise'
People of Promise. The world cries out for such as never before. Who and what are they? Where can they be found? Recently I've come across a few in some unlikely places...
First, my thirteen-year-old-son JJ. He surprised me in countless innumerable ways this past summer - a summer that will long be remembered by us for our 108.5 mile trek down the John Muir Trail, a trail with some of the most magnificent country one can ever hope to come across in the United States of America - the California High Sierras. As you might imagine there were quite a number of 'voices' both before and during this monumental feat that kept us asking ourselves if we were up to the task. But People of Promise give those voices their rightful due... listening, acknowledging, evaluating and even contemplating them, but often quite necessarily they must be repudiated. Such voices will frequently create fear, but such fears must be taken captive and submitted to God if there can ever be any hope for advancement. Progress will naturally involve risk, but this is the stuff that makes life worthwhile. I'm so proud of my son for measuring up to the JMT's mountainous challenge (no pun intended); he'll go far as a young Person of Promise in direct proportion to his learning to depend on God for his wisdom and strength. I wish I could share with each-and-every-one-of-you how he climbed snowy summits, gingerly eased down slippery slopes, carefully forded rivers and tip-toed around wild animals. Here's a great video for you to catch a glimpse...
First, my thirteen-year-old-son JJ. He surprised me in countless innumerable ways this past summer - a summer that will long be remembered by us for our 108.5 mile trek down the John Muir Trail, a trail with some of the most magnificent country one can ever hope to come across in the United States of America - the California High Sierras. As you might imagine there were quite a number of 'voices' both before and during this monumental feat that kept us asking ourselves if we were up to the task. But People of Promise give those voices their rightful due... listening, acknowledging, evaluating and even contemplating them, but often quite necessarily they must be repudiated. Such voices will frequently create fear, but such fears must be taken captive and submitted to God if there can ever be any hope for advancement. Progress will naturally involve risk, but this is the stuff that makes life worthwhile. I'm so proud of my son for measuring up to the JMT's mountainous challenge (no pun intended); he'll go far as a young Person of Promise in direct proportion to his learning to depend on God for his wisdom and strength. I wish I could share with each-and-every-one-of-you how he climbed snowy summits, gingerly eased down slippery slopes, carefully forded rivers and tip-toed around wild animals. Here's a great video for you to catch a glimpse...
Then there are the unsung Latin American workers of our organization who live and work in many different Is lamic contexts, striving to build and model the Kingdom of God in difficult conditions at great cost. I recently had the honor of interviewing many of these incredible ambassadors of the King in some strategic meetings in Europe. Let me say the reports of what God is doing in and through this generation of global cross-cultural workers are very encouraging and need to be heard. Clic here for more global info or here for an insider glimpse of our local efforts from The GREENSide (email me for the password; see the upper-right-hand tab).
June 2011 building inauguration and anniversary
Finally, I close here with a short reflection related to the limited, yet gratifying efforts we offer young People of Promise each and every Friday morning (and more recently a whole week of substituting) at El Camino Academy where JJ studies. Lately we've been sharing missional themes with the kids from the Book of Acts, where we've all been struck once again just how much Peter exemplified a Person of Promise. As one is introduced to him in the gospel narratives it's a by-gone conclusion that he holds little promise for the future, yet Jesus Christ sees promise in him and invests his life in his and, well, the rest is history... powerful sermons, stunning acts of compassion and scriptural declarations as our designated verse above so aptly portrays. Who are the People of Promise around us? Maybe you're one. I hope I am. May God grant us not only the ability to see and recognize one when they come around, but to do what we can to bring up many such for today and tomorrow's world. Join me in finding and investing in People of Promise.
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You can use initials or our full name (if you know it) in the appropriate contact box
First name: KR
Last name: G
Personal account #: 004527
Project account #: 024527
Last name: G
Personal account #: 004527
Project account #: 024527