Jonathan and Bel Griffiths Update
Dear Fellow Travellers, It is the beginning of October, and I wanted to give you an update on where things stand as of right now and things you can bring before the Lord in prayer. August was a power-packed month of documenting and handing over 15 years of ministry to different people within TWR Europe and CAMENA. To add to the strain, many of these people are setting up home, and the new office on Cyprus so connecting became difficult…
From Kids to Adults, Contentment
Our Orange Curriculum is pretty great. The philosophy behind it is that the Church and Family work together to make a greater impact on the kids lives. Our hope and goal for all the kids in Kids Connection is that they will come to have an authentic relationship with Jesus and as they grow up will continue to be active members of the Church. I wanted to start doing a monthly devotional type blog called From Kids to Adults. The…
Why Should Your Students Go On a Retreat?
One of the big things I have brought to Village Green is that we will be a youth group that takes part in retreats. Since Bedlam is approaching quickly, I wanted to explain why I have made this decision. Over my time in ministry I have noticed that weekend retreats meet 3 needs in a healthy youth ministry: they break the static, build relationships, and deepen students faith. Life is chaotic and busy. There is always something more to do…
Two Free Chapters From The Trojan Horse of Leadership
This week I decided to give away a couple of chapters of my book, The Trojan Horse of Leadership: Battling the Enemy We All Face. I’ve attached the opening two chapters (the Introduction and Chapter 1), and hopefully it will entice you to get the book. Yes, it’s a shameless plug, but the bigger and more important reason for luring you in this way is because I believe so much in the power of great leadership. Maybe its because we…
Update from Rob and Kathryn Flemming -Maiko Baptism
Near the end of July, we asked you to pray for Maiko, a single mom of a four year old girl who lives in Hitachi and has been attending Hitachi Hope Church for three years. She was baptized in the Pacific Ocean the day after a typhoon! The rains ceased a couple hours before the scheduled time, but both Maiko and Rob were baptized several times each by typhoon generated waves. She is the newest member of the Hitachi church,…
Baseball Season 2018
Thanks to all who supported the team this season! The team appreciated your support. Weldon Park Google Map
Update from Jake & Leidy Paul
This update will finish off our little mini-series of updates by focusing on our third topic: us. We figured that aside from our main work projects, we should let you know about the other things going on in our lives and fill you in on how we are doing emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc. Honestly, this is probably the hardest of the updates to write because it is sometimes hard to put our feelings, struggles, and personal victories into words and…
In Praise of Every Day Heroes
I’m surrounded by heroes. Not the DC Comic or Marvel versions we see in the comics or at the movie theatres. As entertaining as they may be, they don’t really inspire me in meaningful ways. I’m also not talking about those courageous people who serve the general public by potentially putting themselves in harm’s way. Police, firemen, military, disaster-relief workers, or the like. Lastly, I’m not talking about those heroes who in a single moment were called upon to act…
What it Takes to Stand Strong in Today’s World – 3 Key Questions
Ever read something that left you inspired? Something so profound that it lifted you in unexpected ways. Happened to me recently, though I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit it. You see, as a pastor, I should not be taken aback by reading a book of the Bible, after-all, it’s profound teaching should be a continual source of inspiration. But recently I was especially struck by the book of 1 Peter. I was moved by the power of Peter’s arguments, especially in the…
The Future Church – What You Will Need To Thrive
Last week we talked about the massive cultural changes happening all around us and how our lives are being reshaped. The same is true for the church and for the way we are approaching worship and community.
Is Your Church Ready For the Next Major Shift in Ministry?
I hope you are having an amazing day! To say that we are witnessing incredible cultural changes is a bit of an understatement. Not only are we seeing dramatic changes in the way we live and work, but also in the way we worship. The old models that use to bring people in the door of our churches no longer give the kind of results we hope for. Those in the marketplace are having to devise new ways of reaching…
Rob and Kathyrn Fleming Update
Greetings from Tokyo. When at a crossroads, one has four choices! Choose left or right, continue straight ahead or reverse course. We lived our first 20 years in Japan as church planters, learning how to love Japanese in the Ibaraki country side into the kingdom of God. So many good years invested into the lives of Japanese people who occasionally responded with faith in Jesus, sometimes after months, but more so after years of seed sowing and watering. The past…