Becoming Greek

Engage Missions

During my time in Springfield, MO I ran into a missionary I have worked with in the past named Steve Shoop. Steve is located in Guadalajara, Mexico and is doing an incredible job. He was a wonderful individual to work with, and now I get to extend that working relationship.

Steve has pioneered a program called

Engage Missions. This is a program designed to connect AG kids on the mission field before or during their college career. In the months ahead Engage will be partnered with most AG schools, and can work with any accredited institution. The basic concept is that a student gains missions experience, takes online classes, and has the opportunity to attend a university in another country. The student would not lose time in their educational process, but would be gaining experience in ministry. It is ideal for students pursuing a full time call of God, or a student who wants to serve for a year in their college years before hitting the workforce.

We are going to be a host site in the Fall of 09 and we are really excited about it. Not only will it allow us to accelerate what we are doing in Greece, but it will allow us to invest in the next generation. We will have a part in forming lives who will then go back home to the states and continue to serve. You will hear more about this opportunity in the months ahead....

Mac's creativity

Mac went to the Dr's yesterday and everything is looking really good. He was such a good sport about the entire thing. The toughest part was the arm splints the first few days. They were put on to keep him from rubbing his eyes, but it kept him from being able to eat very well. Mac is very independant and likes to feed himself, and so we found a solution. This pasta spoon became his mode of eating. He dealt with all this so well, and it encourages me as we get ready to move abroad. If you can learn to function well without bending your arms, you can learn to do a lot of things diffrent. What a great lession in flexability.... The splints are off and we have no more Mac-en-stien, but the flexible spirit remains.

Burkina Faso Miracle

WHile I was in Springfield we heard the miracle again that many of us have heard about this country in West Africa. About 80 years ago some of the first A/G missionaries arrived and built the first church. One of those workers has turned out to be the grandfather of the current superintendent Jean Palantari. As the indigenous church was built in this nation, the gospel exploded. Today in the country there are more A/G churches than you can throw a stick at. The countries population is 12 million, and they have 1 million members in the Assemblies of God. I the next few years they might have almost 10% of the country in this one denomination.

They have overcome a lot of obstacles to see the growth in the church explode. We are praying for a similar miracle to happen in Greece. The population is almost identical as Burkina Faso, but the A/G in Greece is not nearly as successful. The entire Pentecostal movement numbers close to 750 people. We are a long ways from a million members, but we just need the right move of God. We need the right grandfather to work in the right coffee shop, and we need the right workers in the harvest field at the right time...... May we be half as successful as Burkina Faso.

I hate saying goodbye

The past few days have held a lot of goodbyes..... I hate saying goodbye to people, and as we near our departure date in November they continue to get more frequent. I had a tough three day stretch the past few days. I said goodbye to some family from Wichita on Saturday as I left another great weekend of fishing after school of missions. I then spend Sunday with the Hernando's at their church in Springfield, MO. I had a wonderful time at their church, and a great time of fellowship. The sad thing was I had to say another goodbye. After a 14 hour drive through the night we had the Britton's over for a few minutes. We had some great conversation, and we said goodbye to Andrea. She is going abroad for the semester and she will not get back before the departure.....

All of these goodbyes have been bitter sweet. These people mean so much, and it is so hard to say goodbye. However, we will get to see them in the next few years in Greece. Some of the toughest goodbyes will hold some of the greatest hello's in the years ahead. We still have a lot of hard goodbyes ahead, but we are really looking to some great hello's in Greece....

I want to thank everyone for praying for Mac this morning. He is really sleepy, and seems to be doing well. He had a ton of fun before the surgery getting carted around on the wagon. After the surgery it was not so much fun for him. I think the toughest thing is the arm splints to keep him from rubbing his eyes. He moves as well as C3PO from star wars... He tried to eat a cracker this afternoon, but could not get it to his mouth..... A tad funny, but really frustrating for him. Some day we will get a laugh out of it together when he is older. It is sad, but the Dr said it went perfect and Mac has been resting well. We appreciate all the prayers, stop by's, calls, emails, and text's.....

Eye Surgery

Our son Mac is having eye surgery today.... Please keep hum in your prayers, and I will post an update latter with the results...

The Natural State

We are spending the 4th of July weekend in Arkansas. Our friends from Wichita have a cabin on Beaver Lake, and we have been enjoying our time in the natural state. Randy and I have logged approximately 10 hours fishing, and we think we had one bite. In fact the only thing we truly caught was a turtle, and the boys had fun playing with that this morning. We have spent the majority of the days on the lake swimming, tubing, and sun burning. It has been a great patriotic weekend!

The big fireworks show was rained out tonight and so we will not get to see it. Last night the neighborhood folk gave us quit a show, and so we are not to disappointed.

Tomorrow I am sharing at a great church in Bella Vista. One of my great friends from CBC is the youth pastor, and I am really looking forward to the service tomorrow morning. Once we finish service we head back to Springfield for one more week. We really needed this weekend to relax and revive.

If you look up the word "class"

If you would look up “class” in the dictionary you would see the face of John Palmer. He is the General Secretary of our fellowship, but Jamie and I know him as a Pastoral figure, uncle to a friend, mission’s supporter, and encourager. Today he took time from his busy day to have lunch with Jamie and I. Every time I get around him I am amazed at his ability to care about individual people circumstances. Even though he is a “big-wig”, he is probably the most down to earth person I know. He takes precious time to invest in others, and has a tangible passion for missions. I am blessed have him invest in me. He is a tremendous example of servant leadership. Jesus took time with the tax collectors, and the lowest people in his culture. Today an executive officer spent time with an unproven, first term, itinerating missionary. I will never be able to pay back a moment like that to him, but I can pay it forward one day. We have a tremendous man as our General Secretary.

I have had this feeling before

When I was in Bible College at CBC I was in desperate needs of some missions funds. I was leading a trip to Northern Ireland, back when no one was taking trips out of the country. We were coming down to the wire, and I had back to back weekends with services in Tulsa and Wichita. We needed several thousand dollars to meet our budget needs, and I just left it up to the Lord. Carbondale A/G in Tulsa and Evangel in Wichita saved the day. I can remember a sense of relief as those weekends allowed the dream of God to be fulfilled in my life.

Well, I felt like I was in the same situation the past few weeks. We recently found out that to acquire the business visa we need to start our coffee house we need a minimum financial amount. This is not the cost of the visa, but the validation that you can legitimately start a business in an EU (European Union) country. We found out that number is 60,000 euros ($95,000), and our jaws dropped. I have been feeling that financial pressure the past few weeks, but I have some good news. The last two weeks I had “feeling I have had before”. I had Sunday morning services in Tulsa and Wichita, and I was in need of some missions funds pretty badly. With an amount this high I really felt that I need to get some significant dollars in that project account. The last two weeks have been two of our top four offerings while itinerating. And thanks to Carbondale and Evangel we have some serious faith seed in that project account. We have a long way to go, but it the last few services have been huge for us.

Keep this financial need on your prayer radar while you think of it. We know God has his timing on it all. Five years ago we would have needed $55,000, but the drop in the dollars value is effecting this minimum amount by $40,000. It is a way for God to get all the glory because we have this on top of our cash and monthly pledge budget……. Good thing I am relying on the Lord for this one!

Back in the dorms

Well I am back in the CBC dorms as School of Missions has been rolling along this week. We have had some great sessions so far, and have connected with a lot of other missionaries. Today we talked in our Europe meeting about locations that are at the tip of the spear. Areas that have a few pioneers before a larger movement can happen. Greece just happens to be the place, and we happen to be on the tip of the AGWM spear.....

On another note I wanted to show off this picture of Mac. I always seemed to find interesting ways to entertain myself in my former college life. And it seems the DNA continued to my wee ones. Who knew a washing machine could be a hang out place?

Weekend in Oklahoma

This weekend we had a tremendous time in Oklahoma. We started off Saturday at Jet's Grandma's house. She had a pool, and Brady loved his time in the water. They had a slide that is normally slow for adults. Apparently, they do not have kids in spandex suits normally going down the slide. All that to say "the Mr Incredible" suit made Brady greased lightning.... It was a blast to watch.

Sunday AM we were in one of my favorite churched in the midwest in Tulsa. Carbondale A/G has been a church that throughout my Bible College years became an investment in my life. Not only in services, but several lifelong friends are from that church. They made a contribution to the coffee shop, and we appreciate their tender heart for missions.

Sunday PM we spent some time in Bartlesville. For those of you from FYM this is where Josh Willaford is from. I was able to hug on Josh's mom, hang out with Brady (the guitar player at the first Buelah Beach camp), and Chris and Becky Davis. We had a bunch of fun, and a great time in ministry. It was special spending time in the birthplace of Josh Willaford....

Technical Issues

If you are a PC user and have had some issues with reading the blog, I apologize. This website has a new format, and I am trying to get it fixed... Thanks for your patience.

Oklahoma Joe's

This past week I ran up to Kansas City to hang out with one of my CBC friends, Ben Marselus. He is planting a church here in the city, and I had a wonderful time with him. He said a line that all church planters should hear. "you can't make people go to church".... So simple and yet true.

He happened to live across the street from one of the best BBQ places I have ever tangled with. I think it was the number 1 all time. It was this little joint that shared lobby space with a gas station. But this place made some mean food. I am going to revisit this place again. Randy is showing off the ribs, and boy they were tasty.....

The zoo

Today we took the boys to the Wichita zoo, and had a blast! We saw all sorts of beasts, and were licked by all sorts of beasts. I had a personal encounter with a giraffe. He practically wrapped his tongue around my arm when feeding him. He was 18 feet tall, and had a 2 foot tongue. I snapped this pic as I fed him..... The boys had fun as well....

1225 miles to go!

Tonight Brady and I are driving to Kansas. Jamie and Mac flew down Saturday for a wedding, and so it is just the two of us and a few essentials. Brady's big ticket item is the portible DVD player..... I need some sunflower seeds, mt dew, and an audio book.... We should get there in 18 hours. Some quality dad and lad time on fathers day! Well back to driving, and Brady will keep his eyes on his shows..... Every once and a while he busts out in a loud laugh, and it is contagous!!!!

Hellas 2008 Euro Cup

Tonight in Greece all eyes are focused on the first game of the Greek teams European Championship game.  Last time in 2004 the Greece team surprised Europe and won the cup.  So far it does not look good for an opening win, but they should do well this tournament. 

This is their team logo.  Hellas is Greek for Greece.... GO GREECE!!!!

look-a-likes

This past week Mac paid a visit to the eye doctors.  He has some eye trouble and we needed to get him a pair of specs.  I am glad that we have the ability to get him corrective lenses, and that we have the technology to make it happen.  He is a cute little kid, and they even have the wrap around ears so he can wear them.  Yet, there is an un-canny look to him.  He has a famous"feel" to him now, and we have finally decided who the famous person has the look-a-like appearance.  Chicken Little....

What a cute kid!!!

Three no more

Last week I was able to hang out with some old friends.  Bernie and Sarah were youth pastors in the Harrisburg area while I was in Camp Hill.  They are now in Cincinnati, and were getting ready to add another child to the Giliott arsenal.

Bernie is technically, Bernie the IV, and so his son is Bernie the V.  They had the 5th yesterday and thought I would post it since many of you knew them while they were in the midstate.  Praise God for a healthy baby!!

Matt. 19:24

While we have been liquidating the house I have been hit hard by a verse in scripture.  Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.  Since you have a computer to read this blog you are in the top 5% of the worlds wealthiest people.  So as a rich person think about trying to sell everything.  As we are getting ready to move abroad we are needing to sell things we have enjoyed for years.  Things that have sentimental value. and things that are just things.  However, I did not really realize how much stuff I had.  

It has been hard letting go of most of the possessions we own.  However, we get to keep some things, and we will buy things on the other side of the pond.  So we are not really selling everything.  And we are not giving all that we have to the poor....  And with all those boundaries set it is still hard.

So imagine if Jesus walked up to you today and asked you to liquidate everything?  I have pondered this thought the past few days, and would not want to be in a position to be asked that question.  Yet, I would want to believe I would say yes.  I would want to believe that no material good is more important than following the call of God.  However, it is a good reminder.  

Think of the 50 most valuable items you posses.  Pick one out, and sell it one ebay, a garage sale, or in the paper.  Then take that money and give it to the poor, missions, or your church.  Test yourself to see if you would be willing to give it all up.....  If you are brave enough to take the challenge post a reply.  You are more than welcome to keep it anonymous, but it would be neat to hear some stories.  And better yet to know that no possession will keep us tied down.....

Worth the wait

Last weekend I had a service with one of my good friends Josh Webster.  Josh interned with me for a year, and we literally shared an office/desk/phone/car for a year.  He was taking a year of preparation in ministry before he started full time youth pastoring.

Josh worked at Panera Bread for 6 months before he started his position in Horseheads, NY (I know)....  He is in a great church, with a great pastor, and is so happy.  He took some advice from me that I thought I would share with some of you young guys going out into ministry.

Fit is everything.  When you are a round peg, look for a church that is a round hole.  If you are a square peg you need to find a square hole.  So many young guys jump at the first thing.  Or the most alluring position, and there is no thought about fit.  This is the reason why youth pastors have such a short life-span.  After a few times, they wise up and look for fit.  However, so many guys give up on ministry because they assume they are not a fit for ministry.  The truth is that they were probably not a fit for the church they were working with.

I was so encouraged to see Josh doing so well.  No one wants to put ministry on hold for a period of time, but a good fit is worth the wait!  I am proud of Josh and Sam, and the students up in Horseheads (gets me everytime) are extremely lucky.  The sky is the limit, and that ceiling gets awfully high when the fit is right.

Garage Sale

I did not realize how many t-shirts I owned until I decided to move overseas.  I think I had 60 or so related to youth ministry.  So if you are ever in youth ministry....  Buying t-shirts is not something you have to do....  Anyways, we are putting together a garage sale for Saturday.  We are selling a ton of stuff, so stop by if you are in the area.  Also, if you are a FYM alum or current member you can help yourself to some old school FYM shirts.  Well, back to pricing.....

Whirlwind

The past few days have been a whirlwind.  I started out last Wednesday with a trek out to Waynesburg, PA.  I had a wonderful time, but the next two days were out in New York City.  I have been driving, driving, driving.  We connected with several pastors in the NYC area, and ran into a few old friends.  My friends Brandon Watkiss and Doug Reed were in town doing a set up trip for a New York invasion this summer.  We ended up having some great connects and some time with old friends.  Brandon was always making a few new friends here and there, and sound a buddy on the subway....

300 years from now

I had an interesting conversation with a tremendous pastor last week.  Brian Koch is the lead pastor at Glad Tidings in Reading, PA, he is a tremendous leader in our fellowship.  He talked about the ancient church, and a lot of our modern buildings.  He pondered a questioned about what would happen to his church in 300 years.  Long after all of us are gone, will we still have structures standing?  After all our nation has not even experienced 300 years.  

We know that buildings will decay with time, but will the message we communicate today still live on?  In Acts the Bible talks about how the people of Berea were more noble than the Thessalonians because they knew how to study the Scriptures.  They might have had Theology down, but today there is not a remnant of the church.  So how do you ensure your legacy will live on?  You must invest in others, and teach those to invest.  Those we invest in must learn to "pay it forward" rather than "pay it back".  Technically, to ensure survival after 300 years requires generations of leaders, and individuals who continue to build a legacy.  

Yet, the truth is that it is out of your hands.  But that is the key to reproduction.  If things live and die on your solo efforts, so will your legacy.  Your legacy will continue through your family furthest, and friends second. The more real you are in your everyday life the farther your legacy will go.  The key to having a lasting legacy is to try to a look down the road rather than the "here and now".  Will you have a legacy in 300 years? 

Helen and Helena

Yesterday, I was honored to attend a funeral of a wonderful woman named Helen Dobrinoff.  She was the grandmother of on of my good friends Helena Dobrinoff.  Helena was a grad of the University of Maryland, and came back to Central PA to take care of her grandmother.  Helen was influential in Helena coming to the area, and finding the Lord.  Helena would not be in a ministry situation today if it were not for her grandmother.

Helena shared yesterday at the funeral and had some powerful statements.  The first was this.  She told how some people used to tell her to move on with her life, and stop taking care of her grandma.  However, she looked at it the opposite.  She expressed how much she learned while she was taking care of her grandmother, and what a value that was.  I learned a lot from Helena in this area.  The value of family is so important.

She also shared about her relationship with the Lord.  She expressed that when she spent time with her grandma, that she was spending time with the Lord.  This happened because Jesus shined out of her life.  Helen has left a tremendous legacy, and is responsible for teenagers in Central PA connecting with God.  Jesus is continuing to shine through her in Helena.  Just a few days ago Helen heard words I long to hear someday, "well done good and faithful servant".