Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

The songs of Christmas offer a beautiful opportunity for us to enter into God's Presence with praise and worship!  A favorite of mine is: "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley.  It was at Christmas time in 1990 when I understood the words for the first time, I was 22 years old.   

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth 

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Tears of joy came as I understood in some small way how Jesus humbly set aside the splendor of the heavens and the Presence of the Father to enter into our world!  The joy set before Him was the purchase of our lives . . . I had just experienced the second birth while at Old Dominion University; and the awe that GOD would value and rescue me with His own life, was overwhelming.  

I had sung many Christmas hymns at Epiphany United Methodist Church before that one, but this one was different.  I was a new creation in Christ and I no longer was singing for singing's sake, but rather singing to the One who came with such humility . . . to be one of us, to teach of the Kingdom, to love, to heal, to forgive sins, to wash feet, to bless children, to deliver from evil, to set the captives free, to be crucified, to rise, defeating death and to send the Holy Spirit!

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Greg West

GOOD NEWS & THANKSGIVING!

Very recently we received a letter from the IRS that began with the words: "We are pleased to inform you . . ."  That's the kind of letter you want to  receive from the IRS!  Life in His Name, Inc. has obtained 501(c)(3) status!  We are now a government recognized non-profit and tax exempt organization!  This is a big step for the ministry and Board of Life in His Name.  A big thank you to the Board for their support, they are: Pete Kovalcik, Laura Houck and Pastor Brian Sixby.  There have been so many who have given encouragement, prayed and given financial support!  Thank you all . . . I do believe good things are ahead! 

Checks should now be made out to: 

Gioconda Estrada - our amiga from Nicaragua

"Life in His Name" or "LIHN" 

And mailed to:

Life in His Name

PO Box 6092

Portsmouth, VA 23703-6092 

A big thanks to Tammy Waters the District  Finance Secretary and Mary Stroh, the District Treasurer for the Elizabeth River District UMC who have been receiving and tracking the finances up to this point!

Hispanic Ministry ~ Eileen and I just hosted some Latino friends at our home,since we had a special guest from Nicaragua visiting.  Jason Gillikin and I met Gioconda (Yah - koon - dah) four years ago on our first trip to Nicaragua.  She gave us a great welcome as the director of Missions for Hosanna Church.    The evening at our home was a good time of fellowship and some deep conversation about the reality of the Gospel.  We arranged for Gioconda to meet with some people who have a heart for Nicaragua.  There are some promising initial plans for projects in Managua, which would go a long way towards alleviating the suffering of many there.  I will be back in Nicaragua with a team over spring break.  

Jail Ministry ~ GOD continues to open hearts in the Western Tidewater Regional Jail.  Joselito and two other Latinos observed that before they were in jail they never read the Bible, but now they are reading all the time.  They acknowledged that GOD was using this difficult time in their lives for good.  As I was sharing with the guys about prayer and praising GOD one evening and I asked them if they knew any songs of praise they could sing.  Surprisingly, they did not.  So I found myself writing the words to a couple 'alabanzas' (praise songs) and then teaching them the songs.  It is a noisy atmosphere with about 20 men in each cell and the TV constantly blaring.  However, we went through a couple songs and talked about how good it is to simply praise GOD for who He is and for what He has done!

Life Group at VWC ~ the intersection of life and Scripture!

Virginia Wesleyan College ~ Keith Moore, the Dean of Students snapped some photos recently in my office during a LIFE Group.  LIFE stands for Living In Faith Everyday.  The emphasis on the experiential reality of the Gospel is helping people to draw near to Christ and to go deeper in faith!  

Some of the VWC Students involved in Campus Ministries!

Experiencing GOD ~ I keep pressing this point wherever I am sharing, because there is a knowledge that goes beyond understanding. It is a heart knowledge, revealed by GOD; that we are dearly loved by Christ and then the witness of God's Spirit speaking that our sins are forgiven!  So many are trying to live for GOD simply with head knowledge and they are missing out!  Paul expected the early Christians to be experiencing GOD in a powerful way.  You see his appeal here for unity is based on an expected shared experience.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Philippians 2:1-2).

 

Thanksgiving flows from deep within as I think of the privilege we have to share Jesus with others.  Thank you for your prayers and support of this ministry!

I am traveling frequently to preach at different churches.  Rev. Dave Zuchelli and his congregation, Smith Chapel in Great Falls welcomed me recently on a Sunday morning.  They have big hearts at Smith Chapel!  I drove that afternoon to preach at the Harrisonburg District Conference UMC at the invitation of Rev. Tommy Herndon, the District Superintendent.  Small Group ministry & Wesley's Class Meeting have been an emphasis this year on that District!  It was a surprise to see Bill and Carole Cunius at the Conference.  Bill was my Sunday School teacher and Youth Group leader when I was in High School.  He had his hands full with that group!

I've included some information below that I found online years ago about an amazing missionary leader to China, named Hudson Taylor.  Taylor experiencing the reality of Jesus is a part of the story.  There are so many amazing yet mostly unknown stories of the men and women of GOD who have gone on before us.  We would do well to recover their stories and learn from them.

"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"  (Philippians 1:3-6).

 

 With thanksgiving,

 

Greg

 

*If you would like to be removed from this E-Mail list simply reply with 'remove' in the subject line.

 

Hudson Taylor - Missionary to China

 

“Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards.  Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him."  Hudson Taylor

Taylor was born in Yorkshire, England in 1832 and went on to his reward from Hunan, China in 1905.  "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."

Hudson Taylor

The beginning of it all was a quiet hour among his father’s books, when young Hudson Taylor sought something to interest him. His mother was away from home and the boy was missing her. The house seemed empty, so he took the story he found to a favorite corner in the old warehouse, thinking he would read it as long as it did not get prosy.

Many miles away, the mother was specially burdened that Saturday afternoon about her only son. Leaving her friends she went alone to plead with God for his salvation.

Many miles away, the mother was specially burdened that Saturday afternoon about her only son. Leaving her friends she went alone to plead with God for his salvation. Hour after hour passed while that mother was still upon her knees, until her heart was flooded with a joyful assurance that her prayers were heard and answered.

The boy was reading, meanwhile, the booklet he had picked up, and as the story merged into something more serious he was arrested by the words: “The finished work of Christ.” Who can explain the mystery of the Holy Spirit’s working? Truth long familiar, though neglected, came back to mind and heart.

“Why does the writer use those words?” he questioned. “Why does he not say, ’the atoning or propitiatory work of Christ'?”

Immediately, It is finished shone out as in letters of light. Finished? What was finished?

“A full and perfect atonement for sin,” his heart replied. “The debt was paid by the great Substitute. 'Christ died for our sins,' and 'not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.'”

Then came the thought with startling clearness, “If the whole work is finished, the whole debt paid, what is there left for me to do?”

The one, the only answer took possession of his soul: “There was nothing in the world for me to do save to fall upon my knees and accepting this Savior and His salvation to praise Him for evermore.”

Old doubts and fears were gone. The reality of the wonderful experience we call conversion filled him with peace and joy. New life came with that simple acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, for to “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.”   And great was the change that new life brought..

Revivals with a Twist . . . "How is it with your soul?'

This is the fourth week I've been on the road - not four weeks in a row, but 3 days each week for 4 weeks!  I's wonderful and challenging - I miss my wife and children as I travel and at the same time I see GOD at work and sense I'm doing what GOD has called me to do.  I am writing from Danville, VA today on the last day of a 3 day revival.  

The twist is that after the worship and preaching we've often broken into small groups to share along the lines of the intersection of the Scriptures and our lives.  People have grown closer to one another and to the LORD as they've listened to, and prayed for one another.  This is often a missing ingredient in our Bible Studies, Sunday Schools and Small Groups.  Do you have a safe place to share your struggles as well as your hopes, joys and dreams?  Do you have a place where people will with love call you to actually live the teachings of Christ?  And where you call others to the same? 

GOD has blessed the revivals in some great ways.  I've seen people start believing what GOD thinks of them rather than the negative self image they have been carrying for years.  These are Christians who know they are saved by grace; by that I mean, they've already been rescued from their selfishness and given the gift of new life in Jesus.  However, they have a inner-voice that tells them things like: "You weren't worth saving", "You need to prove you were worth saving", and "You're a constant disappointment to GOD".  This isn't GOD speaking at all - it's either their own minds still working on an earthly point system or it's the voice of the enemy, robbing them of their true identity in Christ.  It keeps them defeated and depressed.  Yes, this is a pervasive and heartbreaking form of identity theft!

I've been opening the revivals with this verse . . .

Psalm 85:6-7 (NIV1984)

⁶ Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 
⁷ Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

In asking GOD to revive us there is the assumption that we've been already been 'vived' at some point previous to this one!  Some have, some have not.  It is a work of GOD though, we can schedule revivals and do the planning, but unless we seek GOD and allow GOD to move and lead while we follow in obedience, we cannot expect much.

I'm passionate about these gatherings for two main reasons: 1) I'm convinced so many of us aren't experiencing fullness in Christ.  GOD has more - and I don't mean by this a Rolls Royce, but more of a closeness with Christ, more service with purpose, more significance in belonging to our ABBA, more lifting up of the poor and oppressed, more effectiveness in leading others to experience the Living GOD and more joy in our journeys with GOD!  2)  There are so many who do not know the love of GOD in Christ!  They may or may not be religious, but so often GOD is only a concept or an ideology in contrast with trusting in and experiencing this Rabbi, Carpenter, King who walked among us 2,000 years ago with a message: Turn from your own way and trust in Me and my Way of Love which is the Rule and Reign of GOD!  Jesus, as the human face of GOD, displays the immense and unfailing love of the Creator by teaching us how to live, confronting the warped and oppressive religious and political systems, healing the sick and then becoming the needed sacrifice for our inner darkness - our sin.  This is a darkness that GOD cannot ignore or accept.  It must become light!  And so the Immortal dies!  GOD solves the problem of sin and death not with a Jedi-mind move nor a Power move to wipe it all away, but rather, Jesus the Lamb of GOD, takes sin upon Himself and absorbs it.  Paying the debt fully, the Lamb slain is now the Risen Lamb, reigning now and forever more in the partially here and soon to be universally present Kingdom of GOD.  All who trust in and follow Jesus become part of this unending Kingdom!  GOD's Spirit has been poured out and indwells all these believers as a fulfillment of GOD's desire and promise: 

"My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.  Then the nations will know that I the LORD make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever" (Ezekiel 37:27-28).

It is good news, make no mistake!

I invite you to pray for these churches and if you know someone looking for a good church in these areas, please send them!

Fairview UMC - Danville, VA - Pastor Kathleen Monge

Dahlgren UMC - Dahlgren, VA - Pastor Ed Johnson

Grace UMC - Hartwood, VA - Pastor Brenda Pusso

Last night we had the revival after the revival!  A number of people from Stokesland UMC, when I was pastor, gathered for a late meal, marshmallow roasting, an attack of silly string and praise songs around the fire until almost midnight! 

Dear Friends Longing for Their Mission in Africa

Timo, Laura, Janey & Richard

Timo and Laura Harknen are one of the families that I've spent some time with here in Danville.  They have a fantastic story - some of which I share below.  Yesterday, we had a great game of soccer with their children Janey and Richard!  They are on staff with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and are currently seeking ministry partners to help them launch out to the Democratic Republic of Congo!  
MAF has a great reputation among all denominations.  If your church might consider hosting them to share about their call, they would love to hear from you.  If I was still a pastor, my church would be supporting their mission!  They are at 65% of their needed monthly funds.  You can find them online at: http://www.maf.org/harkonen

In 1999, Eileen and I took Laura out to lunch shortly after we arrived in Danville, VA.  Laura was the pianist at the church, Stokesland UMC.  I was the new pastor and was super excited to get going in ministry.  Laura was an undergraduate student at Averett University while Timo was an MBA student originally from Finland.  Laura is a gifted musician and was great to work with for those 3 years.  We didn't meet Timo right away, as he started attending some Sunday worship times well after we arrived.  I thought he was really interested in my preaching - truth be told, he was interested in the pianist!  However, Timo, within that community of Christ at Stokesland, began to consider Jesus.  Laura and the other college students were a compelling and constant witness.  Timo jumped into the Men's Group which was modeled off Wesley's Class Meetings. "How is it with your soul?" was our ongoing question.  He was hungry for the truth and in addition to reading the Scriptures, he read through numerous Christian books.  Often in our Men's Group, Timo would hand us all a copy of his notes on the latest book he read, which included his favorite quotes, ideas and a detailed summary!  Timo was loved into Christ's community!  A couple years later, I had the privilege of leading them in their wedding vows.  They have since been in ministry together in many places, most recently in Unicoi, Tennessee.  Imagine a 6' 4" blond Scandinavian man welcoming in Latino youth to the congregation near the Smoky Mountains!  I love it!  In their journey Timo and Laura adopted their children from Brazil - Janey and Richard are a joy to be around!

More Preaching and Teaching and Sharing Christ

I recently had the opportunity to lead a lunchtime seminar on "The Method of Jesus . . . The Method of the Methodists" to about 30 pastors on the Harrisonburg District!  One of the wonderfully shocking truths I share with them is that the early Methodist Preachers were not expected to shepherd a congregation!  They were expected to shepherd the Class Leaders (small group leaders) who in turn were shepherding the rest of the congregation!  This incredible model enabled the Preachers to focus on preaching in new places and forming new Classes which often morphed into new congregations.  We need to recover this lost Method of the Methodists, which I believe really is the Method of Jesus - small group ministry.
I've also been preaching at a number of other churches including a seminar on Evangelism with my good friend, Pastor Bob Weeks at his new church:  Verona UMC - Staunton, VA - Pastor Bob Weeks  A highlight of this trip was going door to door through a nearby trailer park.  We didn't accost anyone, just a visit to get to know them and to let them know the Verona UMC was right up the road and cared; and their care was tangible . . . a food pantry open to all, 12 step groups, Small Groups, Worship and more!  

I also shared about Missions connecting my role as Evangelist with 3 recent trips to Nicaragua at Jim Smith's church.  Jim is another pastor-friend who has been a great encouragement to me in my ministry. Emmanuel UMC - Winchester, VA - Pastor Jim Smith

One other brother in Christ and Pastor-friend is Gordon Pruitt.  I was able to share with his church about "The Method of Jesus . . . the Method of the Methodists".
St. Matthews UMC - Richmond, VA - Pastor Gordon Pruitt

Again if you know anyone seeking a church in these areas, connect them!

Prison Ministry at Western Tidewater Regional Jail
Joselito stands out to me probably because he looks so young.  He is scared, not just for himself, but for his wife and baby.  He has been incredibly receptive to being taught the Scriptures and is trusting in Jesus for salvation in the biggest sense of the word!  I am encouraged by the openness of almost all of the Latino men to gathering to hear the Word, share prayer requests and to call on the LORD together.  I welcome your prayers for them and for me as I share Christ with them.

Thank you!
The joy of sharing with so many and in so many different places is incredibly fulfilling.  As I transitioned out of Pastoral ministry, my hope was that I would be able to preach more frequently.  Well, in the last 21 days, I have preached 13 times!  I'm including preaching tonight - on my birthday!  Thank you to all who pray for us and support us financially.  We continue to move in a good direction with financial support.  We are currently receiving 75% of our budget needs.  We trust that will continue to increase.  If you would like any information about giving to Life in His Name, let me know.  All gifts are tax deductible.  Click here for detailed information on giving: Giving to Life in His Name

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24  (NIV1984)

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

In Jesus' great love,

Greg West

• We have a Facebook Page check it out at: Life in His Name - Facebook Page

Info about Financial Support . . .

Checks can be made out to:

ELIZABETH RIVER DISTRICT UMC

And mailed to: 

ER DISTRICT
PO BOX 12654 

NORFOLK, VA  23541


We are tremendously grateful for each giver and each gift.  It has been so lifting to see how God provides through His people.  Thank you!

Celebrating the 2nd Year in a New Ministy!

Tidewater Regional Jail with the Latinos

Solomon's eyes searched mine as he spoke with a sense of despair, "Of course I can accept Jesus, but how do I know he will accept me?"  This Mexican father of five, had been searching the Scriptures for a few months hoping for some connection with God.  He also desperately longed for a sense that his wife and children would be cared for while he was in jail.  For the next hour I pressed the joyful reality that we can be sure Jesus will accept us, if we simply come to Him on His terms which are repentance and faith.  Solomon opened up and seemed to grasp on the hope found in Christ.
It is greatest to know God's love and acceptance in and through what Jesus' death accomplished for us and certainly through His rising from the dead, defeating death!  The writers of the New Testament tell us that we can "know and rely on" the love of God in Christ!  John the Apostle, bases this confidence on the experience of God's Spirit communicating with us!  Check out 1 John 4:13-16:

¹³ We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  
 ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior
of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives
in him and he in God.  ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love
God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Assurance of God's love and presence in our lives is the privilege of everyone who is trusting in Jesus.  Yet, too many followers of Christ simply do not know what is offered and so, they never seek God for the assurance that the Spirit gives.  The Apostle Paul put it this way: "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children" (Romans 8:16).  I urge you who are reading this, if you do not have the 'witness of the Spirit', seek God for it!  Trust completely in Jesus as your Savior and ask for God's Spirit to come and speak to your spirit.  Press in and seek God until you have an answer.  Our God is a self-revealing God, who rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  Another insightful passage where Jesus addresses this marvelous truth is Luke 11:11-13.  
In the jail cell, Solomon and I prayed together.  I cannot say all that Solomon's tears meant.  However, I'm sure the LORD was at work in him and I'm sure there was a deep longing to just be with his family.  When I went to visit Solomon the next time, I was told he had been transferred. 

Siuna, Nicaragua with Pastor David Ford, Newtown UMC and GO International

It's a tough town where the women wear flip flops and spurs!

We had two options to get to Siuna from Nicaragua's capital, Managua.  Either a 19 hour bus ride or a 1 hour flight.  So it was a 12 seater Cesna, which was a lot of fun, especially landing on the gravel runway.  We saw quickly that Siuna was a cowboy town with horses possibly outnumbering cars.  There were 17 on the team all from Newtown UMC in Williamsburg, VA, except myself and Larry and Jenny Cochran who were the team leaders with Go International. www.gointernational.org
Each morning we traveled a little over an hour by truck (because 17 gringos riding horses was out of the question) to our mission base, Salto Verde Church.  Salto Verde literally translated is "I jump green", for which we never got a clear explanation.  However, it is a beautiful, rural area without electricity or running water, but full of smiling children, a few spider monkeys and of course, lots of horses!  
We served the church and the community in five ways: 1) Medical Mission as Doctor Roberto saw patients throughout the day.  He's a young doctor who is studying to be a Pastor as well!  Brilliant!  2) A prayer and evangelistic ministry to people in the community and those who came to see the doctor.  There was quite a long wait, so opportunities abounded to share Christ and pray over all of those who visited the Doctor.  3) Children's Ministry - Youth Pastor Jonathan Diggs led this charge.  It was beautiful to see the number of kids grow from day to day.  We welcomed about 100 on the last day.  4) Construction of a new sanctuary for the Church.  It was powerful to see the community come together for this with people working who did not attend the church! 5) We brought a few hundred pairs of reading glasses and handed those out as needed.  It was a holistic approach to the community in partnership with the church in Nicaragua.

Doctor Roberto on the left with the Team in front of Salto Verde Church.

There was a young man who looked a bit lost outside the church one day.  I introduced myself and asked him some questions.  His name was Vladimir, which surprised me, as he was 100% Nica.  As we talked it became clear why he looked so lost.  He shared that many years before, his Dad was the pastor of this church; but his Dad was murdered in Managua 6 months before.  Vladimir told me that he wasn't following Christ as he was too hurt and didn't have answers to his many questions.  We talked for a long time about suffering and how God is in the midst of it.  My heart ached for him and after praying together, he headed out for the two hour walk home.

Gabriel, our young Amigo!

We stayed in what was really a hostel, though it was called 'hotel' in Siuna.  It was pretty rough.  Pastor David and I thought we were the only ones in our room, but one morning I almost touched a toad the size of my two fists together!  There was a 4 inch gap at the bottom of our door, so really lots of little critters could come in out of the rain!  The team did well, no complaining and we focused on serving the LORD and the people in unity.  There were great team times of worship, sharing and prayer.  I
We met Gabriel, a 13 year old boy and his mother, Maria, both of whom worked at the hotel.  Gabriel ended up spending much of the trip with us as we received permission from his mother for him to travel with us.  He was a lot of fun and I enjoyed helping him understand why we were there and sharing Christ through interpreting different worship gatherings, ministry times and life events. One of our high school team members, Lauren gave Gabriel her Spanish Bible as we left.

Youth Ministry: Training and Jumping In
I spent a couple days training 8 Youth Interns at Ocean Grove Campmeeting Association in July.  Ocean Grove felt like a hidden treasure as it has it's origin in the Holiness Movement in the late 1800s.  http://oceangrove.org/  There is a square mile there dedicated to the LORD, with tons of happenings all throughout the summer for adults, youth and children.  The Youth Interns reach out through relational ministry, events, programs and small groups.  They were a solid group all of whom are active in College Ministries.  Another bonus was that Eileen and the children were able to come up with me and enjoy some down time on the Jersey Shore.

King's Dominion for Fun Day with the whole group!

I am currently in the middle of serving with New Creation UMC's "Youth Week".  Becky Lambert and Bill Canaday do a great job along with their interns to gather youth from New Creation, other churches and the community for a week of drawing near to Christ, serving, food and fun!  My oldest son, Josiah participated this year as he is going into 6th grade!  We have seen many of the youth growing in their faith and making decisions to turn from sin and follow Jesus!  

I am now in my second year of serving as a Missionary-Evangelist!  Thank you for your prayers and support, I am forever grateful!  Our financial support continues to increase as we work towards our goals.  
We have a new Life in His Name facebook page with extra pictures and information as well!

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14). 

Greg West

Until the IRS recognizes the name change from the Norfolk District to Elizabeth River District, checks need to be made out to:

NORFOLK DISTRICT UMC with 'Greg West' or 'LIHN' in the Memo

And mailed to: 

PO BOX 12654 

NORFOLK, VA  23541

You can put either Norfolk or Elizabeth River District for the address.  It will get there either way; technically it is now the Elizabeth River District UMC.

New Address for Receiving Funds

Sorry about the confusion . . . 

Checks can be made out to:

ELIZABETH RIVER DISTRICT UMC

And mailed to: 

ER DISTRICT
PO BOX 12654 

NORFOLK, VA  23541

Thanks!

"Your very lives are a letter . . . Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God's living Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:3 The Message

MEN'S MINISTRY:
On April 30, a group of men from Virginia Beach UMC gathered, not for a Retreat, but an 'Advance' as Dave Lundquist, the 'Head of Men's Adventures' named it!  Dave and Pastor Ed Johnson Jr. gave leadership to the 'Advance'.  I presented 3 sessions on "the Method of Jesus and the Method of the Methodists."  You could say the focus was "Evangelism and Discipleship'.  However, all the while we were trying to grasp the marvel of God clothing Himself in human flesh, His life among us, the coming of God's Holy Spirit and the overarching strategy to bring the Kingdom of God to earth!  We covered some territory!
Pastor Ed, Dave and the other leaders in the group had been working hard to cultivate a deep commitment to discipleship.  Dave and I thought these presentations could help move the Men's Ministry to the next phase - so I was thrilled when Dave reported that 3 new men's groups have been launched with participation growing from 7 to 27 men!  He said, "At this stage we are in 'boot camp' as we learn and practice the skills of ministry and gain comfort in really looking at ourselves and being ministered to.  We pray that soon we will be reaching out to lost and hurting men outside our usual congregational contacts."  There was a hunger among the men to be who Jesus called them to be, and to do the things He's 

Above and below are two of the slides I use to illustrate the
tremendous growth of the Methodist movement when
the class meetings (small groups) were required.

called them to do!  When that is present it's hard to go wrong!

More than 1/3 of the population!  What I am interested in
here is the recovery of a method, the method of Jesus.  

Pastor Ed shared, "The 'Advance' was a tremendous success as men were reintroduced to the power of the Holy Spirit available to all followers of Christ!  In addition, the concepts that Greg taught have equipped us to empower laity to ministry to laity following the example of the original Wesleyan class model."  
This is a major goal of my calling as an evangelist . . . to assist the church in the formation of Jesus centered groups that shape people in Christ-likeness and send us out as ambassadors of the Kingdom.  These groups welcome all and are able to articulate and demonstrate the Supremacy of Jesus in every way!  They cannot help but to have a redemptive effect, not only in the lives of the participants, but also all those with whom they come into contact!
Most people do not think of evangelists in an equipping capacity.  However, this role is clear in Scripture.  This is Ephesians 4:11-14:


¹¹ It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹² to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."


If you would like to experience one of these groups, I am a part of a weekly group that meets on Wednesday's at 6:30 at Dennis' restaurant in Churchland.  Acts 2:42 summarizes our meetings: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  I am also in a pastor's covenant group meeting in north Suffolk with the same focus.  You're invited!


GATHERING WITH THE LATINOS AND JAIL MINISTRY:
About 15 Latinos among other friends gathered at our home on Memorial Day.  Jason and Delia Gillikin along with Ali Alvarez, Jose Gonzales, Eileen and I are desiring to connect with and minister to this community.  We are asking God what our next step is while continuing the friendships and encouraging them in the faith. 
My orientation at Western Tidewater Regional Jail was eye opening.  This jail holds close to 800 people including Federal prisoners.  My role there will primarily with Latinos, though I will have opportunity for ministry with others.  As I am traveling much of June for ministry, "I'll be in jail" on July 7, with a team from Southeastern Correctional Ministry.

  

STUDIES:

A fascinating account of John Wesley's
understanding of the Holy Spirit, healing,
deliverance, dreams and visions.

I am digging deep into the Scriptures and other books to better understand and be led by the Holy Spirit.  Imagine being one of Jesus' disciples and hearing him say, "It is for your good that I am going away."  
Stunning words, but then the explanation: "Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come  to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)  I am quite convinced that we followers of Jesus in the 21st century have a ton to learn, experience and live out concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit in us and through us.  
The book to the right has been quite an eye opener in terms of John Wesley's ministry and his understanding of the Holy Spirit.
   
SEMINARY ROAD TRIP:

Keith Abraham, Wayne Credle Jr. and Brian Boettcher
hanging out with John Wesley at Asbury Seminary.

Five Virginia Wesleyan College students and I traveled to Duke Divinity School for a tour.  Then three of the students and I traveled on to Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  Eileen and I were there from 1995-9, with me studying and Eileen paying the bills!  A road trip with college students who are listening to God's call in their lives is an exciting experience!  We learned together, prayed together, shared meals and lots of laughter!  It looks like Keith will be going to Asbury.  The others still have another year of under-graduate work.


It was good for my soul to visit ATS.  For Eileen and me it was a wonderful immersion into Christian community.  We were enriched, challenged, equipped and then sent from Asbury in 1999.


NICARAGUA IN JUNE:

Bishop Francis Asbury is one of my heroes.  He gave
himself fully to the LORD, preaching along circuits
through this country from 1771 - 1816.  The movement
grew from 1,200 persons to 214,000 under his leadership.
Tears came to my eyes as I learned that he was homeless
in order to be more effective in making disciples of Jesus. 

While in Wilmore, I visited 'Go International' a missions organization that partners with local churches to help fulfill the Great Commission.  I will be traveling with 'Go Int.' and Newtown UMC in a couple weeks to the city of Siuna in Nicaragua.  We'll be serving a church there with building, evangelism and any other way we can.  I will also be bringing books and teaching resources for the pastors of the Evangelical Methodist Church.  We welcome your prayers as overseas travel always has some challenges.  
On Sunday I had the opportunity to speak at Charity UMC in Virginia Beach.  One of the Sunday School classes is using Francis Chan's new book, Crazy Love.  I read the chapter entitled "Giving Our Leftovers to God."    Chan says that if 100 people represented the world's population, then 53 live on less than $2 a day.  And if you make $4,000 a month then you make more than 100 times what the average person on the planet makes!  This is part of the tug on my heart that keeps me returning to Nicaragua, 3 times so far this year.  The great joy is that each time there are people seeing the poverty of the country for the first time; and at the same time they see a church that is vibrant, doing so much with so little.  We would all do well to go down bringing material resources to help, while they give us spiritual resources unknowingly.


SUPPORT UPDATE:
We have made significant progress towards our new financial goals.  We will continue on as  God keeps opening doors and providing in marvelous ways through the body of Christ.  if you would like any information about my ministry please contact me and check out: www.lifeinhisname.net

I will be sending a new address and information for giving purposes later this month.  We are grateful for your prayers and support! 


In Jesus' great love,


Greg West