Jail Ministry and Latin America . . .

With Doña Luisa in the Yucatan 1997.
Her family helped to establish Cancún, Mexico.

A Dominican Jail to a Jail in Portsmouth

As Pastor Tony invited the inmates to step forward if they were ready to follow Jesus, I had a message pressing on my heart. A number of men had stepped forward, but many were unmoved. Back then, in 1993, my Spanish was limited, but I could not hold back. I asked Pastor Tony if I could say something to the inmates in this Dominican Jail. He nodded. In broken Spanish I warned them of the pride present in all of us and of the danger of letting pride prevent them from admitting that they need a Savior. It communicated at least to two, as they stepped forward. It was the first time I had ever publicly invited someone to receive Christ. Joy was present as Pastor Tony ministered to them and led them to call on Jesus!

This memory came back to me last Monday night on my way home from the Portsmouth Jail. I work with Chaplain Gary Tingwald of Southeastern Correctional Ministries. It was a very good night in the jail as the groups of men that gathered to pray, hear the Word and fellowship together were bigger than normal. We shared the story of Jesus' humble entry, how his birth announcements went to the lowly shepherds and a conversation about what Savior means from Luke 2. I asked if there were any among them who wanted to welcome Jesus as Savior and live a new life in and through Him. Two men raised their hands. I asked them to come near and through the bars of the jail, I spoke to them more intensely about repentance and faith. After they prayed some of the other guys clapped with joy for them. I will be meeting with them again next week. Please pray for these two and certainly the whole ministry at the Portsmouth Jail.                                                                   



With a Mayan family in front of their home

‘Vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones . . .’
‘Go and make disciples of all nations . . .’ Matthew 28:19a

These early ministry experiences in Latin America were formative for me. Now a big circle is about to be completed! Eileen and I spent the summer of 1997 in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico with Youth with a Mission [YWAM]. It was an incredible summer serving with our Mexican brothers and sisters in Christ. In 2000, our family began growing with children and Eileen was no longer able to travel on mission trips. I continued to go to places like Haiti, Mexico (Chiapas), Jamaica and Nicaragua. I see a tremendous value in cross cultural exchanges and overseas partnerships in the Gospel. Eileen and I are traveling with our children to Nicaragua for 20 days in January. We are very excited about the trip and our children share the excitement. We are more intentional about training them as disciples and teaching Spanish to them. Our trip has a fourfold purpose: 1) To continue our partnerships with our amigos and churches there. 2) To establish new partnerships which include the Evangelical Methodist Church in Nicaragua which is a budding movement: www.iglesiametodistanicaragua.com/ and Casa Esperanza [Hope House] a ministry helping women and children out of prostitution: www.houseofhopenicaragua.com/ 3) To plan and map out a mission trip for Spring Break of 2011 (March 13 – 20) with Virginia Wesleyan College students and others. 4) To immerse our children in Nicaraguan culture and Español.

Eileen and I have talked for a number of years about a mission trip for the whole family. We wanted the children to be old enough to be able to serve and we think we are there. We also want our children to see the two-thirds world (as many of us like to call it). Seeing the poverty in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, will be a powerful experience for our children; especially as they see the joy of the believers who have so little materially compared to us. We have a lot to learn from them. We ask for your prayers as we travel from January 3 – 23.



Church in the Yucatan, Mexico 1997 - Eileen front left

 Partnership in Finances and Prayer

Our financial support continues to grow. We are at 65% of our budget. The Board of Directors approved the budget earlier this year making my compensation equal to what I received in my last year as pastor. This takes into account my part-time Chaplain’s salary at Virginia Wesleyan College. So we only need to raise ½ of my salary and housing. If you would like to be a financial partner with me through Life in His Name click here: Life in His Name Support

In Jesus’ great love,

Greg

 

Understanding the Holy Spirit . . .

E. Stanley Jones was a missionary to India and a gifted communicator of the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The following link is to an audio sermon from 1960 . . . and it is right on target for 2010.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: The Birthright of All Christians ~ E. Stanley Jones

Do You Believe in the Resurrection?

Dear Friends & Family,

God continues to bless and confirm our new ministry. I use the word ‘our’ as Eileen and I have always viewed ministry to be a shared calling and privilege. This includes our children as we seek to shepherd them to be faithful followers of Christ today. Thank you for your prayers and support of ‘Life in His Name’, which is now incorporated in the State of Virginia – next step IRS approval as a 501(c)3.

We have reached 60% of our needed financial support! We’re moving along and are thankful. If you are not a financial partner and would like to be, please click here:
Life in His Name Support

If you have questions about this new ministry, please call or email: (757) 289-9555 / gregwest120@gmail.com

We’ll have another update soon with news about an upcoming trip to Nicaragua among other happenings!

In Jesus’ great love,
Greg & Family

Resurrection!
A young woman was struggling in her faith and articulated it to me this way, “You know, the resurrection . . . I just don’t know if it’s true.” She looked afraid, like I might be disappointed by her doubts. “I’m glad you felt comfortable telling me.” I shared with her about the four accounts of the resurrection in the Gospels, encouraging her to read and reread them. Then I walked her through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

We talked about the credibility that Paul has as he appeals to the readers that there were multiple eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection; that more than 500 people that saw Jesus at the same time, risen from the dead. In essence, Paul is saying if you don’t believe me you can ask them! The young woman seemed to have something to hold on to steadying her. When I saw her the next day in a small group setting, she had a big smile and quickly shared with the group of her new confidence . . . that Jesus rose from the dead and so he really can offer us eternal life!

Evangelist! Really?
In October it became official. I am an evangelist within the United Methodist Church. The last person to become an evangelist in the Virginia Conference was my friend, LeRoy Jones. That was 22 years ago. I’m not really big on titles, but when someone asks me what I do, I tell them about my dual role as ‘missionary* evangelist’ and chaplain at Virginia Wesleyan College. I try to break the stereotypical view of evangelist that so many people have. Some have a negative or surprised reaction . . . like really you’re that!?

A good picture of an evangelist in action if found in the amazing story about Philip, in Acts 8. God’s Spirit leads him to an Ethiopian who is reading from the prophet Isaiah, but not understanding. It’s the perfect opportunity to share about Jesus the Christ! As the Ethiopian believes in Jesus, he is baptized by Philip and goes on his way, taking the Good News to Africa! Philip is referred to as an evangelist in Acts 21:8.
*I have added the term missionary to evangelist as God has given me a vision of serving in Latin America as well as in this country.

Small Group Ministry
I have a request in with a group that works with the homeless in downtown Portsmouth. The request is for me to lead a small group among the homeless. The group is bringing the request before their Board this month. They have not given a green light to a ministry like this before. It has been a social ministry providing needed food, shelter and clothing among other needs. I believe in these strongly, but also see that Jesus offered bread to eat and the words of life for the soul. Please pray that there is an opening here and a mutual partnership that results.

Ministry at Virginia Wesleyan College ~ Please Pray . . .
God is opening many doors to share with students. I am working with a couple of small groups and coaching some others. We are working towards gathering all of the different Christian ministries on campus together. In addition to ministries coming out of the Chaplain’s Office, we have: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Inter-Varsity, Young Life, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Newman Center, a Catholic group, which also has a worship gathering led by Jim Parke, a local priest and friend. ‘Generation United’ is going to happen on December 4th. This will be a worship - teaching & fellowship gathering for all of these groups as well as everyone else on campus. The Fuse Band will be playing a lot of Hillsong tunes among others. Their catchphrase is: ‘Created to spark a fire’. Interestingly, Virginia Wesleyan’s catchphrase is: ‘Bring a Spark. Light a Fire.” We are longing to see Jesus’ prayer answered:

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21

Our unity as followers of Christ gives great credibility to our message. The opposite is true as well, and too often disunity, competition or just distance makes the Good News less believable.
 
UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• Sundays at 4pm at Virginia Wesleyan College’s Monumental Chapel – Norfolk, VA

• November 14 – Jolliff UMC, 8:30am & 11am Worship Gatherings - http://www.jolliffumc.org/

• November 18 & 19 – South Hill UMC Revival, Evening Services - www.meckcom.net/~shumc/


WE WELCOME YOUR PRAYERS . . .
. . . that we would all abide in the Vine and produce fruit. John 15:5

. . . that we would be given words and wisdom to share the message of Jesus. Ephesians 6:19; James 1:5

. . . for people to believe and receive Jesus and experience life in His name. John 1:12, 20:31

. . . for the formation of new small groups where conversion and discipleship take place. Matthew 18:3, 28:19-20

. . . that Eileen and our children would have joy and strength in homeschooling. Psalm 28:7

. . . for the students at Virginia Wesleyan College to be disciples who in turn make other disciples. 2 Timothy 2:2

. . . for our churches to return to their first love. Revelation 2:4

. . . that the LORD would send more laborers to the harvest field. Luke 10:2

Life in His Name Update ~ September 17,2010

Pete Kovalcik and I ~ Riverfront Soccer

GOING ON THE OFFENSIVE

We were warming up for the last regular game of our soccer season when Pete Kovalcik* said, “Greg, you’re going to score a goal today.” I was feeling bold even before Pete said this and was planning on going all out. His words though lifted my hope and confidence even higher. All season I had played defense, so I rarely even got to the other half of the field. We were playing more aggressively though. So when we had a corner kick opportunity, I lined up in front of the goal. It was the perfect kick, curving above the first line of defenders. It dropped quickly and I ran to meet the ball. At the point of contact it was too low for a header, so I tightened up and angled the ball off my chest past the goalie and into the goal. It was all lightning fast and the ball was in the back of the net for our first goal!

On my June 11 blog, I wrote about the body of Christ seeming to always be on defense. Too often we are known for what we are against rather than what or rather Who we are for! Few people recognize the betrayal of Christ’s teachings whenever ‘Christians’ speak some foolishness or participate in harmful behavior! So once again we are up against the ropes. As I was thrilled to go on the offensive when playing soccer, I’m more excited about going on the offensive for Christ. We have opportunities everyday in making Christ known as we serve, care, heal and announce the love of God in Jesus! This is our privilege as followers of Christ. Sometimes we don’t see it as a privilege though. I find that when I am abiding in Christ, walking closely and listening for the whispers of the Spirit, it is then that the joy of the LORD comes and compels me to be bold.  All the while a sense of wonder is present with the conviction that we have the greatest privilege on the planet! Let’s lovingly remind each other that Jesus’ teachings are not options to be considered, they are commands to be obeyed!

1 John 5:3-4 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. (New Living Translation)

 *In addition to being a talented soccer player, Pete is the president of the Board of Directors of Life in His Name.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
Wednesday mornings at Dennis’ Restaurant in Churchland continue to bear fruit. There is a deep fellowship among those who gather. We have new men coming in, as schedules allow. Les Litchfield’s leadership is a great blessing in this group. Our vision comes from a snapshot of the early church:

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

We are working our way through Luke’s Gospel and are talking about adding new groups in the area. This coming Wednesday, a good friend and partner Don Davis will be sharing with us. Don and I are looking to start another group towards downtown Portsmouth. Our aim is that these groups be ‘trans-denominational’ – or ecumenical. Our unity is found in Jesus’ teachings and Presence. John Wesley had a great saying: “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.” Charity in Wesley’s day was a synonym for love. Here is 'charity' used for love in the well known last verse of the ‘love chapter’ from the King James version of the Scriptures, published in 1611:

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

You are welcome to come to the Men's Group. Dennis’ Restaurant 6:30 am every Wednesday morning. Dennis’ is located in Churchland: 3356 Western Branch Blvd, Chesapeake.

PRISON MINISTRY
I was deeply moved by what God is doing in the Portsmouth Jail. I met a volunteer named Collin who is a retired chiropractor. For four years Collin has come to the jail to lift up Jesus among the inmates and staff. Collin has a walker and drags one foot as he plods along his purposeful way. His speech is slightly impaired, but the inmates were asking for him, eager to know that Collin would be making his rounds! I also caught a glimpse of Samuel’s well worn Bible as he taught the inmates. The pages were frayed and discolored from where he had turned them again and again over his 15 years of ministry in the Portsmouth Jail. I got involved through my good friend Gary Tingwald, who is the Senior Chaplain with Southeastern Prison Ministry. Gary and I have been in the Churchland men’s group together for almost 3 years. Gary guided me through his usual routine as we interacted with a lot inmates and staff. We had some solid conversations about Jesus . . . his love, his power and his ways. We prayed with many inmates and encouraged them in the faith. Gary had told me of the need for more chaplains and of the need for a Spanish speaker to minister to the Hispanic inmates. Please lift Gary and the other volunteers up along with the inmates.

Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & PARTNERSHIPS
• Sundays at 4pm at Virginia Wesleyan College’s Monumental Chapel – Norfolk, VA
• October 27th, 7pm, Wednesday at Discovery UMC in Richmond, VA
• October 31st, 10:45am at The Bridge – Portsmouth, VA
• November 7th, 10:45am at The Bridge – Portsmouth, VA

I am working with 4 churches in somewhat different roles, but all essentially focusing on evangelism and small group development. These churches are all in the Hampton Roads area and I’m praying about a partnership in another part of the state.

GOD’S WORK AT VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
“I’m already happy, why do I need God.” It was an honest question given in a group setting by a student who grew up outside of the influence of the Church. The discussion after the question was great. I’ll be seeking this student out for another conversation. I’ve been on board at VWC for 6 weeks and have had a great time getting to know students, faculty and staff. We’re working hard to create gatherings where we can discuss Life, God, Humanity and how it all fits together!  Please pray for the 1,300 students as we work together with groups like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, Young Life, the Catholic ministry and Campus Crusade for Christ.

FINANCIAL REPORT
We are very close to 50% of our monthly needs via pledges and gifts. We are actively seeking partnerships with churches and individuals who believe in this new ministry. I am available to speak at churches or other gatherings. The salary that I receive through Life in His Name is a part-time salary, as I am also receiving a part-time salary as Chaplain of Virginia Wesleyan College.

To contribute on a monthly basis or with a special gift, simply send a check made out to the: Portsmouth District UMC
3400 Cedar Lane
Portsmouth, VA 23703
Write either Life in His Name or Greg West in the memo line. All gifts are tax deductible. We will send an end of year statement in January. We are grateful for every gift and every giver!

NEW MEMBERS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of LIHN met on September 1st with our newest members, Pastor Brian Sixby, Darlene Ammon and Laura Houck. They joined myself, Pete Kovalcik and Pastor Bob Weeks who have been on board since May. These are all gifted people with a great love for the LORD. I’m grateful that they are on the team!

May His Kingdom come . . .

Greg West

The Leap Happened!

The Leap happened!  And we’ve landed on our feet, by God’s grace!

After serving as the pastor of Grace Harbor for 8 years, that role is now in the hands and heart of Pastor Marc Rickabaugh.  He’s a great brother in the LORD. Being co-laborers with God to bring a church into being was a deep experience of growth, joy and sacrifice for myself, Eileen and the whole congregation.  We are very thankful to the body of Christ at Grace Harbor.

My first Sunday as an evangelist was quite possibly, my busiest Sunday ever! It was a ‘good busy’ though. I preached at The Bridge www.cometothebridge.org which is a church plant in downtown Portsmouth in the morning.  In the afternoon, I spoke to the youth at Virginia Korean UMC in Suffolk on the subject of “The Purest Mind in the Universe Thought Up Sex”.  I am grateful for the leadership of Pastor Chul Ki and Pastor Ho Hyun who know that the church must teach on this topic.  I then met with the New Creation Youth leaders working on plans for “Youth Week”, which runs from July 18 -25.  I am the speaker for the week, which is filled with teaching, small group sessions, mission work and fun!

I have been with students at Virginia Wesleyan College this week during Orientation for the new students and their parents.  God has already led me into meaningful dialogue with some students about Jesus, life and salvation.  I love those conversations!  I've met with a number of staff, faculty and students as the chaplain (part-time) at VWC.


I'm just finishing up an amazing book: "Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret."   Taylor was born in Yorkshire, England in 1832 and went on to his reward from Hunan, China in 1905.  The book was written in 1932.  "Taylor was a pioneer missionary who spent the last half of the nineteenth century serving in China.  More than a century before Richard Nixon reopened Communist China to the Western world, this young British missionary traveled to China.  He left for China at age 20 with no university degree and sent by no government.  He arrived unexpected and unannounced.  But, by the time he died, 50 years later, he had founded the China Inland Mission which consisted of 205 mission stations with over 800 missionaries, and 125,000 Chinese Christian converts."

Quote from: http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/book_review%3a_hudson_taylor%27s_spiritual_secret

I am transfixed by Taylor’s description of his deeper experience with Christ, from which the title: “Spiritual Secret” comes.  The experience is described in a chapter called "The Exchanged Life."  Here is a quote from an Episcopal priest who hosted Hudson Taylor in Melbourne, Australia:

"He was an object lesson in quietness. He drew from the bank of heaven every farthing of his daily income – “My peace I give unto you.” Whatever did not agitate the Savior or ruffle his spirit, was not to agitate him. The serenity of the Lord Jesus concerning any matter, and at its most critical moment, was his ideal and practical possession. He knew nothing of rush or hurry, or quivering nerves or vexation of spirit. He knew that there is a peace passing all understanding, and that he could not do without it . . .

“I am in the study, you are in the big spareroom,’ I said to Mr. Taylor at length. ‘You are occupied with millions, I with tens. Your letters are pressingly important, min of comapritely little moment. Yet I am worried and distressed, while you are always calm. Do tell me what makes the difference.’

‘My dear Macartney,’ Taylor replied, ‘the peace you speak of is, in my case, more than a delightful privilege, it is a necessity. I could not possibly get through the work I have to do without the peace of God ‘which passeth all understanding’ keeping my heart and mind.”

 

That was my chief experience of Mr. Taylor. . . Dwelling in Christ, he drew upon His very being and resources, in the midst of and concerning the matters in question. And this he did by an attitude of faith as simple as it was continuous.”  pages 226-7

Taylor's story draws me because I am convinced so many of us (me included) settle for far too little of what Christ offers; or lives to the standard Christ sets.  The old saints called it ‘full salvation’ and ‘the deeper life’ among other descriptions.  I believe this settling for less come mainly from two sources: 1) ignorance – that is we just don’t know. Do you remember these word from Jesus to the Saducees?

“You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).

Couldn’t it be the same for us today? We are in error, that is, we think incorrectly and therefore live lives that miss God’s highest, because we haven’t read and understood our Bibles. This as well as our error of underestimating God’s power – that is, God’s ability and willingness to act on our behalf.

As one of my professors used to say: “Go and sell your possessions and buy this book at any cost.”  The Scriptures first and Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret next. 

I'll leave you with a question that raised from the book.  I urge you and I to answer it honestly while asking the Holy Spirit to search our hearts: 

Are the promises of God less true for us today than they were to the faithful who have gone on before us?

Thank you for your prayers for us and for your partnership in the Gospel. 

Greg West, Evangelist~Chaplain

Transition, Soccer and the Goal

The shift from pastoral ministry into the new roles of missionary-evangelist and chaplain is happening fast! In the transition I joined a soccer team with a number of men from Grace Harbor and some Latinos who have also been a part of our church . . . Puerto de Gracia. We had our first game on Sunday and it was a excellent! There was this great moment in the game when the opposing team had a penalty kick against us. I ran in to help form ‘the wall’ to block the kick. At that moment, as we covered critical parts of our body, the realization came, “I could really get hurt here.” It was thrilling! We were willing to risk bodily injury for a greater cause! The good news is that we blocked it and nobody was hurt. Even more exciting than blocking a penalty kick was the opportunity to score a goal. I personally didn’t even get a shot on goal, but the excitement was there as I got close.
My longing as a follower of Christ is that we go on the offensive. Yes, there are things we must stand for and ‘block’, but we must be moving towards the other goal. The goal of Christ-likeness, the goal of loving God, loving neighbor, not merely with words, but with action; and the goal of seeking the lost and making disciples of all nations! The world knows what the church is against much more than they know what we are for. This should not be. They cannot understand what we’re against unless and until they know . . . Who we are for and what we are for!
Let’s not allow people to think we’re about this cause or that cause. Let them see a people who are compelled by the love of God in Christ to serve and proclaim. Paul shares with the church in Philippi about the value of all of his former accomplishments, titles and status. We must learn from his example:

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ . . .” (Philippians 3:8)

I ask for your prayers and support as we move forward to make this new ministry a reality. I have been meeting with a few churches, families and individuals and am very encouraged by a willingness to partner with me. We’re at about 20% of our monthly pledges, but have also received some special gifts that will help us get going. July will be a month of transition, support raising, evangelism and discipleship!

If you have not checked out the new website, take a look: http://www.lifeinhisname.net/

In Jesus' great love,

Greg West

More Good News . . . Leap Year Update #5

Friends in Jesus,

I accepted the offer to be the chaplain at Virginia Wesleyan College, beginning this August!  There are some wonderful students there that I have already met. I’m looking forward to encouraging them in their growth in Christ there on campus.

This is one piece of the puzzle that God has for me. We are moving ahead with “Life in His Name”; Pete and Pastor Bob and I are meeting in the morning.

I have begun meeting with churches who may be interested in partnership with us in this new ministry. I’m hopeful and encouraged that we can raise the needed financial support. I am open to coming to your church if invited!

The website is up! We will be making additions and changes.  Check it out:
www.lifeinhisname.net

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."  Hebrews 10:23-24

Greg

Pastor to Missionary~Evangelist . . . Leap Year Update #4

Friends,
The transition from pastoral ministry to the work of an evangelist is ongoing! I am blessed to have so many people who keep encouraging me along the way!

Name Chosen . . .

I have decided on the name of this new ministry: Life in His Name. You’ll recognize the phrase from John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John, after bragging about how he was faster than Peter, gives us the motive behind his letter and this is it! It is the appeal of an evangelist. This is what we long for everyone on the planet to experience . . . life in Jesus name! The name takes a bit of explaining to those not familiar with Scripture, which creates a beautiful opportunity to share Christ! I have been playing with some logo ideas, the latest you can see above to the right.

Great News!

• The Portsmouth District Board of Missions voted yesterday to pay for our health insurance for 1 year! Wow . . . big answer to prayer!
• The Website is almost ready to launch! A gigantic thank you to Cathy Stevens for setting up the website! She shared with me that: “Old secretaries never really go away :) We bother you FOREVER.” She is wonderful! Next email I will share the web link

Waiting and Setting Up Appointments with Churches for Partnership & Support . . .

• We are hoping to hear this week if I will be the next chaplain at Virginia Wesleyan College. The link to the Chaplain’s office is: http://www.vwc.edu/student_life/chaplain/index.php My interview last week went well, I especially enjoyed interacting with two different groups of student leaders on campus.
• I have 3 appointments on the calendar with churches who are considering supporting this new ministry and have started calling some individuals as well.

Prayer requests . . .

• Would you lift up our dear friends Bob and Jill Riggles? They are both serving at Christ Church in Fairfax, VA. Pastor Bob is also transitioning out of pastoral ministry after 11 or so years like me. Jill is the director of Christ Church Kids. We’re praying for God to clearly show the next step for them.
• Eileen and I are grateful for your prayers for us and our 3 children: Josiah, Evie and Luke. We are hoping to stay in the same house (that’s Plan A and there is a Plan B). It’s a big transition.

In Jesus’ unfailing love,

Greg West, Pastor
http://www.graceharborva.org/

Leap Year #3 - Moving Forward!

Friends,

Good news, I have been approved as an evangelist! I do need to meet again with the ‘extension ministry’ committee in October for final approval on the details of how this new ministry will operate including the 501 (c)(3), the Board of Directors and the Budget. I am able to move forward with the new ministry though on July 1.

I have a 2nd interview at Virginia Wesleyan College about the part-time chaplaincy position this Thursday. I ask for your prayers for wisdom and the ability to articulate myself.
I believe God has gifted me in the areas of evangelism and discipleship. These are the parts of pastoral ministry that always ‘charged my batteries’. I feel privileged that I will be able to focus on these two areas of ministry. I have been involved in small group discipleship and evangelism for almost 20 years. A healthy small group is one of the greatest means of evangelism. It is the redemptive community that offers Christ in word and deed to the seeker. This is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.

In the next month I will be working with Pastor Bob Weeks and Pete Kovalcik and others establish financial and prayer support for the ministry. There is no salary for this role. The District Board of Missions is considering covering our health care for 1 year. We are seeking people and churches to partner with us in any and every way! There are some churches and individuals that have already expressed a desire to support me in the role of missionary-evangelist.

I am super grateful for your prayers and encouragement!


May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Greg West, Pastor

Leap Year #2 - Update

Friends & Family,
This is the second update on the transition that Eileen and I are calling Leap Year! Our longing is to be the people God wants us to be and do the ‘good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (Eph. 2:10).

I interviewed with the Board of Ordained Ministry concerning the ‘extension ministry’ appointment as a general evangelist last Thursday.  I am waiting to hear from them. I also have an interview this coming Thursday with Virginia Wesleyan College. They have a part-time chaplaincy position open, which may also fit the gifts and calling that God has for me.

 Since my email last month, I met with the Evangelical Fellowship, which is a group of pastors and laypersons within the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Pastor David Ford graciously gave me some time to share with the group. Their response to my sharing about being a ‘Missionary Evangelist’ were and are a great encouragement to me. They prayed over me and read Scripture over me, which was tremendously affirming.

 Two first-rate people have agreed to serve on the Board of Directors. They are Pete Kovalcik and Pastor Bob Weeks. Pete is a part of the congregation at Grace Harbor and is the Executive Director of the Luter Family YMCA in Smithfield. Pastor Bob and I have worked together at our multi-campus church New Creation UMC, for more than 5 years. The initial paperwork for the 501(c)(3) is with a lawyer, who is also a friend.

 Thank you so much for your prayers, support and encouragement.


‘May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you’ (Jude 1:2).

Greg

My Grandfather Online Poet . . .

I just discoverd that my Pop Pop's poetry is online.  A friend of his, Harry Wettig, published a book of his poetry after he died.  I had no idea he had also uploaded the book.  Here is the link and a couple of my favorites from Percy below:

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry_all.asp?Authorid=76534

You Smiled - a poem written to Rae (photo)
You smiled at me!
And I shall forever be in your debt,
That long ago when we first met
You smiled at me.

Then suddenly my whole world changed from gray
To gleaming gold!
Now all eternity within my grasp I hold,
Because you smiled at me.
 
 
Prayer on a Bus

Dear God, forgive that I should be
So blind in faith as not to see
Thy shining presence everywhere I go;
And so,
My humble thanks that I was on
The bus tonight with old blind John.

(The above poem was written before 1940 when Rae and Percy were on a trolley headed for the downtown. The trolley stopped to pick up Old Blind John, who sold pencils on the street corner next to Thom's Drug Store. Percy jumped up, helped Old Blind John to a seat, talked for few minutes and then returned to recite the above Poem to Rae.)


Parson Brown & The Prodigal Son

This is the story of Parson Brown,
A colored preacher in a southern town,
Forced to retire 'cause he’s gittin too old,
With a thousand more sermons still untold.
So the parson took his sermons out on the street
Unloading them on anyone he chanced to meet,
‘Till his friends started shunning
The parson and his talks
So the parson did his preaching on long lonely walks.

This would be a sad story if it ended this way,
But, let’s hear from the parson
What happened one day:
As I was walking down the road
I met a stranger carrying a load.
He said, “Please mister, will you set me right,
I’ve looked everywhere that I could roam,
Please show me the road that leads to home.”

“Well brother.” says I, “Just stand where you are
And gaze in the sky at the evening star
‘Till your sins all melt, run down in your shoes,
And the good Lord above will send down news
Of a road to travel that’s narrow and straight
But leads ever upward to Heaven’s gate.”

“Now listen real good and take a hint,
Home is a place where the heart is content.
Peace can’t be found by a worldwide search,
Just go instead to the nearest Church,
Throw off your troubles and fall on your knees
And ask the good Lord to put your soul at ease.”
Then the stranger laughed ‘till he nearly cried
As he looked again at the country side,
Then he placed his bundle on the ground
And said to me, “Are you Parson Brown?”
I said, “I be, but what caused your joy?”
“Then welcome home,” says he,
“your wandering boy!”


My Name is Thomas
Forgive me, Lord, if doubting is a sin,
But finite minds can only comprehend
What human reason can explain.
I’m sure you know the limits of my brain,
Thou who did the universe design
Must surely know each weakness that is mine.
‘Tis not that I lack faith or love
Just send me understanding from above.

New Models of Learning

The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life By Parker J. Palmer

From an article: When I Figure Out the IPad
http://eric.clst.org/mystery/archives/1367

OLD:

NEW:

COMMENTARY: Seven things I hate about U(MC) - Ted Campbell, Jul 16, 2009

When we critique the bride of Christ, it must be done in the right spirit; that is for her well being and conformity to Christ.  MLK Jr. said it well:

"In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church. How could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson and the great grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and through fear of being nonconformists."  from Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail

So good to hear someone speak up.  Thanks Ted Campbell.

http://umportal.org/article.asp?id=5592

Leap Year #1 - The Suffolk West's in February

You’re getting this email because you have encouraged Eileen and I as we have been discerning God's new direction for us. Thank you! Many have said, “Keep us informed along the way.” So I thought an email-blog would be best.

I met with Bishop Kammerer on February 15th. The purpose of the meeting was simply to inform her of our new direction and to seek guidance. I asked if she thought there was a need for a new evangelist in the Virginia Conference. She answered, "I think there's probably not just a need for one more, but maybe three or four more." Good sign.
I shared the concept of "Theology on Tap", something like this . . . we go to the local bar and find out which night is slowest for business. Then the proposal: We'll invite people to the bar on Tuesday nights and we'll give a presentation that will turn into a conversation around Jesus and the Scriptures. Our presentation isn't heavy handed or pushy, just a conversation. Alcohol isn't one of our topics, but if we're asked, we'll share that the Scriptures speak against drunkenness, but not drinking. Our Catholic brothers and sisters are using this approach in different parts of the country seemingly with great success. Again, Bishop Kammerer was good with it.

This week I met with the Board of Evangelism for the Virginia Conference. The interview went well and I was given a ‘thumbs up’. My friend Brian Sixby, also a pastor in Suffolk is the chair of this group. One of the highlights for me was when one of the pastors interviewing me discovered there was no salary. We made eye contact and with a puzzled look he said, “How are you gonna get paid?” I leaned forward and said, “I’m just about to take up an offering!” Good guy, he gave me his card afterwards and told me to call him.

So thanks for your encouragement and prayers. I’m also in the middle of setting up the required 501(c)(3). The next interview is March 25th with the Board of Ordained Ministry. The goal is to be appointed as a ‘general evangelist’ in the Virginia Conference. This will give me the freedom to be the ‘missionary evangelist’ that I believe God is calling me to!

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

I remember well that soccer game in Managua. The horses were on my team as was this muchacho!

These children were a part of a Compassion International project. Very moving.

http://www.compassion.com/

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

Catastrophe in Haiti: A Different View

I am thinking of God being misrepresented at a time when our hearts are most vulnerable. I am thinking about the suffering of the people of Haiti and the tragic history of the island of Hispañola. What if the ‘Christian’ Europeans had actually obeyed Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor”? They would not have exploited, enslaved and massacred the indigenous peoples. They would have developed friendships and partnerships with the native peoples to develop the land. Maybe without this brutal history, which betrayed all of the teachings of Jesus, the island would not be impoverished and wrecked today. Maybe Port-au-Prince and the other cities would have been built with the resources and technology capable of withstanding a 7.0 earthquake.

Please forgive us. In the Bible, the Apostle Paul devoted an entire letter to his friend Philemon asking him to change his relationship with Onesimus, from slave to that of a beloved brother. This appeal was “on the basis of love” (Philemon 1:9, 15-16). We did not listen.

Please forgive us. The failure of the church to do serious study and application on the Biblical letter to Philemon gave a green light to the suffering, enslavement and death of millions. The consequences, pain and injustices are still felt today.

In Luke 13:1-5, there is a simple and weighty teaching of Jesus:

“About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. Jesus asked, “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

In this passage we are told of two catastrophes, both resulting in numerous deaths. The first is man made and the other is what we call a natural disaster. Jesus knew the thoughts of the people: They must have deserved it. Jesus corrects them with an emphatic “No.” We would be wise to apply this teaching: When tragedy comes, do not try to infer guilt and judgment. Your business is to be ready for your own death and judgment.

Please forgive us. We revere the Bible, but we don’t really know what it says.

Please forgive us. We have often made a Jesus of our own imagination to fit our politics, our prejudices and our greed.

Please forgive us. Though we are told to be “ambassadors for Christ”, there is too often little resemblance between the beauty and compassion of Jesus and we his followers.

There is a long, sad history of church leaders driving their personal agendas while claiming to have Jesus’ stamp of approval. With that being said I quote E. Stanley Jones, a 20th century missionary to India:

“Let me declare my faith in, and appreciation of, the Christian church. With all its faults it is the greatest serving institution on earth. It has many critics but no rivals in the work of human redemption. The isn’t a spot on the earth from the frozen north to the tropical islands of the sea where we haven’t gone with schools, hospitals, orphan and leper asylums, churches, everything to lift the soul, the mind, the body of the human race.”

Jesus, please forgive us.