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| Pete Kovalcik and I ~ Riverfront Soccer |
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
