On Friday and Saturday, I gave a missional church seminar in Ankeny, Iowa. Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines.
I was so impressed with the church there. A great, committed core came to the seminar, and I could really tell that they "got it." They were excited about the ideas presented there, and there was definitely a "buzz" amongst the members as they began to dream of being God's church for the world. The elders and new youth minister there are great guys, very empowering and committed. And there was a great core of younger people as well. As I spoke about the struggles of young families and the characteristics of postmodern culture, one of the young fathers said, "You were speaking my language." I really love connecting with all generations, but particularly these younger ones that feel so abandoned and discarded.
Here is a message one of the attendees, used by permission, about the seminar.
James,
We can't thank you enough for coming to Ankeny to share your wisdom, knowledge and experience with us! I was personally challenged by what you said and will redouble my efforts to get the gospel out to those around me. I've taught a 5-week class on evangelism, preached once about it and co-hosted a LIFE Group focused on outreach, but I believe that your visit was more impactful that all those put together. There have been several discussions about things we can do to put an evangelistic focus up front and center and I'm very excited about it all.
Tim Steele, Ph.D.
Chair, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center
I was so impressed with the church there. A great, committed core came to the seminar, and I could really tell that they "got it." They were excited about the ideas presented there, and there was definitely a "buzz" amongst the members as they began to dream of being God's church for the world. The elders and new youth minister there are great guys, very empowering and committed. And there was a great core of younger people as well. As I spoke about the struggles of young families and the characteristics of postmodern culture, one of the young fathers said, "You were speaking my language." I really love connecting with all generations, but particularly these younger ones that feel so abandoned and discarded.
Here is a message one of the attendees, used by permission, about the seminar.
James,
We can't thank you enough for coming to Ankeny to share your wisdom, knowledge and experience with us! I was personally challenged by what you said and will redouble my efforts to get the gospel out to those around me. I've taught a 5-week class on evangelism, preached once about it and co-hosted a LIFE Group focused on outreach, but I believe that your visit was more impactful that all those put together. There have been several discussions about things we can do to put an evangelistic focus up front and center and I'm very excited about it all.
Tim Steele, Ph.D.
Chair, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center
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2 comments:
James, glad to hear things went well at the seminar.
The more we (Christians) put our faith into practice in the "real world" outside our buildings, the more impact we'll have on that "real world." Sounds like that message was communicated and received in Ankeny.
John
John,
Thanks for thoughts. Yes, people are looking for a faith that is real and that impacts their lives throughout the week. The church in Ankeny got a glimpse of that, and they were excited.
James
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