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…
Thank you Krista Allen!
Here at Village Green Community Church we appreciate our volunteers. On Sunday June 17th we had the opportunity to honour one such volunteer. On behalf of the church Pastor Jon Korkidakis presented Krista with a card of thanks and small gift to recognize the 15 years that Krista has lead the Grade 1-5 program of Kids Connection. Krista, has also served on the board of directors. Thank you Krista for your faithful service and to all the volunteers that bring…
2018 Canadian Church Leaders Conference – Highlights and Conference Notes
This year, along with two staff members from our church, I attended the Canadian Church Leaders Conference held June 14-16th at Connexus Church in Barrie, Ontario. This is the second year for this gathering and its primary attraction for me is its focus on the Canadian church. Though I appreciate the wealth of material and conferences that our friends south of the border provide, they have little to no understanding of the church dynamics in Canada. The Canadian focus, coupled…