Missionary Students Help Restore Local Church

Last week students from Concordia University in Austin spent time with some LINC Houston members. They visited Houston for about 3 days.

During their time here they had the opportunity to help clean and refresh one of our churches. The service work included painting, cleaning, and yard work.

They also took the Nehemiah Vision Tour, which was organized by the Mission Team under Pastor Kim's direction. The students even had the opportunity to receive a training session with Pastor Kim on the mission field. It was a great visit.  

To learn more about the Nehemiah Vision Tour click here.

Students from Concordia University in Austin helping with landscaping around the church of Centro de Fe y Esperanza.

For more information on missions with LINC Houston please contact: 

Rev. David Kim, Mission Director of LINC Houston at davidkim@linchouston.org or www.glocalmission.org.

Huskers in Houston

How did most college students spend their spring break?  If you listen to the media, you may think that they all spent the week on the beach partying.  25 students from the University of Nebraska chose to spend their time serving others in urban Houston instead.

This amazing group of servants plunged headfirst into cross-cultural learning, out of the ordinary experiences and service to the community.  The amazing thing about it is, they never complained (not much anyway.)

We are so grateful for their time, energy and commitment to the ministry of Jesus in the community.

Below is a slideshow of the group in action.

New Mission Work Begins in Pasadena

Casa De Oracion core group excited to tour LINC's Pasadena Mission Center.

On March 10, a new Spanish language mission congregation of LINC Houston began meeting at our Pasadena Mission Center. This small and young congregation, led by Pastor Jose Flores from Argentina, is excited about beginning work to reach and restore the Pasadena community. Pastor Guevara plans to continue his theological studies through LINC's partnership with Concordia Seminary through the Center for Hispanic Studies.

Youth Disprove Common Perceptions

"Today's youth are only concerned about themselves," is what many would say.  That's not how Pastor John Ojode would describe the youth from Pilgrim Lutheran Church.  On Saturday, March 2, this group of energetic young people from Pilgrim partnered with Adelphos Bible Church in Third Ward to bless the community through service and outreach.  Steven Krueger, Pilgrim's Director of Christian Education, also wouldn't describe the youth of his church in positive terms.  Steven helped organize this project along with LINC's staff, proving once again that his youth are ready to serve others.

Pilgrim youth serve by painting the outside of a neighbor's home.

Throughout this struggling but proud community just south of downtown Houston, many families work hard just to survive.  

With a median household income of just 

$26,488, most residents of this 

historic African American

 community live with barely enough money to put food on the table.  Especially challenging for Third Ward's elderly population is the task of maintaining their aging homes.  That is why LINC's service projects in Third Ward area typically include home repair and maintenance.

A BBQ brings together community members and neighbors.

The Youth group from Pilgrim Lutheran Church joined together with the people of Adelphos Bible Church to reach out to their community by offering a FREE Barbeque, going door-to-door handing out fliers about Adelphos and the God who loves them, and helping an elderly neighbor to repaint their home.  They were not only able to use their energy to bless the community, but also to help Pastor Ojode send a message of hope to those around him, a message that God loves them and cares about their well-being.

Pilgrim's Youth Group is already planning their next service event in May, and will continue serving the community all year long.  To us, this helps prove our theory that today's youth are simply waiting for the opportunity to make a difference in the world around them by putting their faith into action. 

Read a previous article about Adelpohs Church.

2012 LINC Houston Gala - An Amazing Night!

2012 LINC Gala included a large and notable guest list of supporters.

Click here for a slideshow of the event

On December 4, 2012, LINC Houston held its 4th annual Gala at the Junior League of Houston.  This incredible evening was attended by nearly 300 of LINC's partners, donors and volunteers.  With a beautifully decorated room, delicious food and hundreds of quality auction items, LINC not only raised over $35,000 at the event but also celebrated ten years as an organization.  Among those honored were three outgoing board members, Dr. Donald Christian - Chairman, Jerry Lohr - Vice Chairman and Rev. Steve Sohns.

Dr. Lou Jander receiving his award: Also pictured Chairman Dr. Don Christian and Executive Director Mark Junkans.

A highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony where three individuals were honored for their part in helping LINC begin over ten years ago.  Dr. Lou Jander was honored for his tireless work to organize congregations around the idea of LINC before it was even a reality.  As Mission and Ministry Facilitator of the Texas District, Dr. Jander organized meetings and directed the energy and excitement of local congregations to form LINC Houston, a new model for ministry that was already functioning in the Dallas / Fort Worth area.  Dr. Jander was accompanied by his wife Martha.

Rev. Ken Hennings - 2012 Gala Honoree

The second honoree at the evening's event was Rev. Ken Hennings, President of the Texas District - LCMS.  When LINC Houston began, Rev. Hennings was acting as the Mission Executive for the Texas District, and encouraged the Board for Mission Administration to award LINC Houston a multi-year startup grant.  Under Rev. Hennings' leadership, the Texas District has become known as one of the most forward thinking and mission-friendly Districts in the denomination.  Rev. Hennings was accompanied by his wife Val.

LINC Gala Honoree Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick addressing those in attendance.

The third honoree was Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, past President of the 2.6 million member Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and former President of the Texas District.  Dr. Kieschnick was acting President when LINC began, and helped create a mission atmosphere in Texas where innovative ministries like LINC Houston could grow.  Dr. Kieschnick was present at the gala with his wife Terry.

LINC Houston's Directors: Rev. David and Juhee Kim, Rev. Mark and Natalia Junkans

This event was made possible by some amazing partners and collaborators, most notably:

Underwriters

Saint John Cypress- Sisters in Service, Thrivent Southwest Houston, Thrivent West Houston, Thrivent Fort Bend County

Collaborators

Lawrence Lieder, Feucht Family, Rev. & Mrs. Vincent Parks, Craig Chancellor, St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Texas District CEF, Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, Sylvia Schmidt, Trinity Lutheran Church

Supporters

Ed & Elizabeth Gallmeimer, St. John Lutheran Church, Dr. Donald and Deborah Christian, Salem Lutheran Church, Rev. Stephen Sohns, Hilltop Lutheran Church

Contributors

Gloria Morales, Rev. Lawrence Kelm, Mark & Ruth Hansen, Jessica  Bartley, Rev. Alfred Scholz, Mary Swanson, Ward Construction Co. 

Caring church opens its doors at center of Indian community

Pastor Vijay Gurrala with church member Garnepudi Vidyasagar outside a Houston Indian restaurant.India House is at the center of the 40,000 strong Indian diaspora living in Houston. It serves as a cultural center and frequently there are Indian holiday celebrations, cricket on the weekends and the savory smell of hot curry wafting through the halls of the building.

On Sunday September 23, India House played host to its newest tenant, Our Redeemer Telugu Church of Houston, pastored by Rev. Vijay Gurrala.

The service of inauguration was a kick-off for a new location for ministry for the Telugu ministry, which has been operating as a LINC partner for several years.

Gurrala hopes the new location will provide a strong foothold in the Indian community of Houston.

"About 98% of the people who come in and out of India House are not Christian," said Gurrala, "there is major traffic in and out of that building everyday."

"In the past I used to go seeking for non-Christian contacts, and I still do, but now they also come to me at India House," he said.

The inaugural worship welcomed over 130 people to enjoy a traditional Telugu Lutheran liturgy and hear from guest speaker Rev. Dr. B.C. Paul, who heads up Emmaus Ministries in India and is a former seminary professor there.

At the gathering a generous donation was collected to purchase new hymnbooks for the worshipping community at India House. They will use this to reach out to Telugus living in Houston who are either disaffected from the church or not familiar with Christ as the way, the truth and the life.

"Telugus in the U.S. face a bit of an identity crisis," said Garnepudi Vadyasagar, a member of the church.

"Anything that is familiar to them - whether it is language, liturgy or life celebrations - it is an effective outreach," he said.

Embracing traditional Telugu liturgy and setting up shop at India House are just two of the ways that Pastor Gurrala and his congregation plan to spread the Gospel among Indian Americans in Houston. They also are there to provide care when families and individuals are in need.

"You can't just talk about God in a general way," said Gurrala.

Vidyasagar echoed his pastor's sentiments and said, "With Indians, talking about Christ is different. They can just add him to other gods, other deities."

He said, "They can say, 'I know Jesus' and add him to their pantheon."

Beyond pointing out the peculiarity and particular promise of Christ, Gurrala insists that his church must know the people, tell the people and show the people the Gospel.

"In a crisis, we want to be the place they come" he said, "we want to be where they look for help and support."

So far, they have done well. Recently, a young man returned to worship after a couple years battling cancer and having one of his legs removed up to the knee. Still recovering and using a walking cane to move around, he came to the inaugural worship because Pastor Vijay and others were there for him during the treatment, even when the government, his university and others were not.

That kind of care, presence and prayer ministry is what will end up having the greatest impact among non-Christian Indians in the Space City.

Gurrala said, "We are coming in contact with the community of Indians here in Houston so we can bring the good news to the people."

He said, "By the Holy Spirit, we pray it will be done."

Congolese Church Finds Home with LINC & Pilgrim Lutheran Church

ECJC features lively worship. In this photo, Silvan, a young worship leaders calls as the congregation responds.

When is the last time you danced in church? While many of us could never imagine dancing during the offering or for a twenty minutes in the middle of a church service, for Augustine Tshibangu and his Evangelical Church of Jesus Christ (ECJC) congregation this is an every Sunday form of celebration and praise. 

Tshibangu, a church planter from the Congo, is the leader of a vibrant and growing body of Congolese and Central African worshippers in southwest Houston. Reaching out to refugees and immigrants from the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and other African countries such as Rwanda and Burundi Tshibangu hopes to bring reconciliation, healing and the Gospel of Jesus to Houston. 

"We are ambassadors" Tshibangu told his congregation, "we are to bear the message and victory of Jesus to the people of Houston, our neighborhood, our families."

For several years Tshibangu and his people floated from home-to-home, building-to-building ministering to the people of Central Africa in Houston. Now, partnering with LINC Houston and Pilgrim Lutheran Church, the ECJC community has grown to worship around 70 people each Sunday.

Featuring a vibrant worship led by call and response, hand drums and an acoustic guitar their worship services are distinctly energetic. Frequently, the church service is punctuated by calls of "Hallelujah" from their worship leader Silvan, to which the worshippers respond with "Amen!" or "God is great!" 

The church service is also interrupted by people coming and going, arriving when they can after struggling to find a ride to church. 

"Now that we have a facility we are blessed" said Tshibangu, "but we desperately need transportation for our families. Many of them have to take public transport or walk to church. It is difficult to get to church for many of our people." 

The congregation is made up of people from all over Central Africa and the Congo Basin. Worship is lead in Swahili, French, Kinanga and English.

He asked that LINC and its supporters help find a van for the church to use for Sunday mornings and other ministries. 

"We desperately need one" said Tshibangu. 

Despite the challenges of learning English, finding transportation and frequently moving locations the ECJC is up to the challenge and they plan on growing and reaching more people. They are a congregation of smiles and excitement and throughout the service when asked if they are happy they raise their hands to wave and shout "Hallelujah, God is great!"

Happy homeowners in Houston

Back in May we wrote about how LINC was working with the department of Housing and Urban Development to help Houstonians avoid foreclosure, purchase a home and stay off the streets. 

This whole initiative is a vital part of our restorative work in Houston and a way we actively show mercy among the under-resourced in our city. 

Since May, Dorothy Martin has been hard at work with various clients in many states of need. The stories are inspiring and the future is promising for this new LINC initiative that you help make possible. 

Over the last few months our Housing Program helped a family of five relocate after unjust eviction, is counseling a client in danger of foreclosing, is helping two more clients sell their home in a touch economic environment and has another client about to close on their first house by the end of October! 

"Without assistance from LINC, these families would not have a leg to stand on," said Martin. 

LINC gives them a leg up in the housing market. 

For the one client about to close, LINC is helping their dream come true. Having just moved back to the U.S. from Costa Rica, this couple was not aware of the incentives offered by the government and local builders. With LINC's help they are close to owning a house in the country, and city, they consider home. 

In the next twelve months Martin and LINC's Housing Program will plan to help another 20 families become mortgage ready, which is another way to say - to aide these people to be happy homeowners in Houston. 

A new refuge in the city

Next to a car shop down a non-descript street in Southwest Houston there is a place of refuge and restoration for the people of the city. 

New church planter, Neftalí Zelaya, pastor of Centro Cristiano Adulam (CCA), along with his people, is using this location as a sanctuary of hope in the city, just as the Cave of Adulam was a place of security for David (1 Samuel 22). 

The mission of CCA is to love God, love others and magnify the name of Jesus Christ. The vision of our church is to glorify our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to make real disciples throughout Houston and around the world.

Pastor Zelaya has a wealth of mission experience and already has served at CCA for 5 years. In the past, Zelaya worked in multiple states, including founding the church Iglesia Misionera "Alfa y Omega" in Madelia, Minnesota where he served as pastor for more than 8 years. His wife, Silvia, his three children and two grandchildren now reside in Houston, TX and his son, Andres, works for the LINC Mission Department as a Church Plant Coordinator. 

As a mission church of LINC, Zelaya and CCA are utilizing all of the resources at their disposal to accomplish their mission. CCA is getting ready to launch a School of Glocal Mission, a LINC Music School, and a Community Center with mobile food pantry, events, ESL classes, and more! 

"The ministry is doing great. Since we've partnered with LINC, we've already seen a few new families from the community joining us for Sunday worship," said Zelaya.

"We are really excited about hosting a quality ministry training school in Spanish such as School of Glocal Mission," he said, "This will truly be impactful as we train and release members for ministry in their contexts."

On August 25th, CCA teamed up with LINC partners, Faith in Action from St. Timothy's, to bless more than 100 children with a worship service, meals, and school supplies as they headed back to school. 

"We cannot wait to see all the Lord has planned and would enjoy partnering with more churches, as we did with Faith in Action," said Zelaya. 

For information on partnership with CCA, contact Rev. David Kim or Andres Zelaya.

Fulfilling Dreams of U.S. Citizenship

According to the Dept. of Homeland Security, there are currently 13.1 million legal permanent residents living in the United States. 

Here in Houston, we have hundreds of thousands of legal residents seeking citizenship who do not know where to begin or how to navigate the process. 

To help this large portion of the Houston community, LINC is partnering with Bonding Against Adversity Incorporated as they offer classes and workshops to residents in the Aldine/Greenspoint community. 

Citizenship Preparation classes were offered June 28-August 9, 2012 and a Citizenship Assistance Workshop will be administered October 27 at LINC's Greenspoint Mission Center. 

Marianna Sanchez, Director of Bonding Against Adversity Inc., said that many legal residents are scared or simply do not know how to navigate the forms, tests and interviews that are part of the process of becoming a citizen. 

"There are people who have been living here for 15-20 years and still don’t know the process or how to prepare," she said. 

"Sometimes they dont know what they are able to do unless someone shows them how." 

Knowing that there are not enough programs to accommodate everyone who has need, Sanchez partners with various organizations to set-up shop in various areas throughout Houston. Working with community centers, Catholic Charities, LoneStar College, local churches and organizations like LINC, Sanchez hopes to help as many people as possible in multiple neighborhoods throughout the city. 

In Aldine, where LINC partners with Sanchez, the majority of legal residents are Latino and come from places like El Salvador, Columbia, Venezuela, Honduras, Puerto Rico. Sanchez said that each of these cultures presents different challenges to citizenship. 

"At times, we have to help people who know spoken English, but dont know how to read and write," said Sanches, "others do not know English, because they are older 75 or 80, and they can take the test in their native language, they just did not know that was available." 

Teaching English comprehension, U.S. history and helping individuals with the application process, Sanchez and Bonding Against Adversity aim to close the gaps that separate people from citizenship and full integration in the U.S.A. 

She said, "It’s a journey, but it is a real joy to see individuals become citizens."

Currently, there are 25 people in the Citizenship Preparation class and Sanchez expects anywhere from 200-700 individuals at the workshop in October where volunteers will assist applicants in preparing their packets to send into the U.S. government. 

Rev. Mark Junkans, Executive Director of LINC Houston, commented on how this partnership is essential to LINC's mission in the city and said, "One of the most stabilizing factors for a family is their immigration status, enabling them to truly call this community their permanent home."

He said, "Together with Bonding Against Adversity, LINC Houston is helping families achieve their dream of becoming U.S. Citizens. In this way, our communities are stronger and our families have a brighter future and we are fulfilling our biblical mandate to welcome the stranger."

The Why, What & How of LINC's Community Development

by Mission Director Rev. David Kim

What is Community Development?

From Christian perspective community development is about holistic ministry - caring for both the physical and spiritual needs of a community.

For LINC, it means that local Christians in our mission churches learn to embrace the vision, take hold of the values, practice the skills; and gain control of the ministry so that the church or mission agency which initiated the ministry can withdraw, leaving the local Christians to carry it on and expand it.

Instead of saying we funnel our community development work through our churches, I would say that we are empowering the local community leaders in our churches to identify and meet the needs of their own communities. The community is both the means and the end of community development. The community itself takes action and participates together.

Why Community Development?

It is about seeking the welfare of people in the community for the sake of the Gospel. To God, not only spiritual wellness matters, but holistic wellness in areas of social, inter-personal, emotional, physical, financial, intellectual, and vocational health. Martin Luther said, “This life, therefore, is not godliness, but the process of becoming godly, not health, but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way.”

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Jeremiah 29:4-7 (ESV)

It is not driven by and for the community, but driven to, with and alongside the community. Caring for the needy and sharing the Gospel goes hand-in-hand. However, the ultimate goal of community development is not just helping the poor and the needy. Instead of just offering to a poor community many free things that go down a black hole, it invests that same money in jobs, businesses, or other projects that continue to stay behind and affect the area’s business and economics.

How do we do Community Development?

LINC’s role is one of facilitation. It means helping local ministry and business leaders to not only see the vision through God’s missional eyes, but also empower leaders from community to the community.

The Case of Nehemiah by GARY A. GOREHAM

1. recognize the need. (Neh 2:1-3)
2. prayer. (Neh 2:4)
3. resource assessment. (Neh 2:5-9)
4. be sensitive to opposition
5. do the homework. (Neh 2:11-15). 
6. enlist the aid of the people. (Neh 2:16-18)
7. evaluation and celebration. (Neh 12:27)

40,000 mission fields & missionaries at University of Houston

Dr. Johnson Petta, who will lead LINC's U of H ministry this year.

As many elementary and secondary students go back to school next week, many college students have already returned to their studies at universities across the United States. 

With 40,000 students, the University of Houston is the 4th largest university in Texas and a sizable mission field for LINC Houston to reach. The makeup is a multi-ethnic milieu with 12.1% African American; 19.3% Asian; 0.3% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; 23.5% Hispanic; 8.5% International; 2.2% Multiracial; 0.3% Native American and 33.1% Caucasian. 

Underscoring LINC's mission to reach the nations both locally and globally Mission Director Rev. David Kim said, "ministry at UofH is important because of the Great Commission."

"The target of this ministry is every person that is lost and every person that is saved. The lost are invited to trust and put their faith in Jesus Christ as they hear the Gospel. The saved are invited to get involved and to impact their communities, which for many of these students, begins on campus," he said.

The end goal is that when these students return to their communities, states, and home countries, they live out their missionary calling.

This year the LINC Houston campus ministry will include weekly Bible studies, Sunday night worship services, hosting monthly luncheons, hosting international students in mission congregations and partner churches, pastoral counseling and ongoing mentoring and discipleship.

Dr. Johnson Petta, who will be spearheading the ministry on campus said, "There are few mission contexts that can match the kinds of opportunities as well as challenges that this campus presents."

"The Lutheran Campus Ministry was established to serve the people of this university, specifically in the areas of the spiritual needs and challenges that arise in the context of academic life and learning," he shared.

Dr. Petta apperceives the stress of student life, teaching and doing ministry on campus. He sees how busy students are, how much they are looking for connections and community and also the demands of their spiritual, physical, emotional and moral decisions. Therefore, his aim is to provide holistic ministry sharing the Gospel, offering spiritual mentorship, community building opportunities, pastoral counseling and theological education. 

He said, "Our missiological focus is to invite people of this academic community to discern and make an honest response to the call of God in their own lives. While it seeks to keep this evangelical focus as central to its mission and purpose, it also strives to build an authentic faith community rooted in God’s word and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ in the academic context."

To support this ministry with prayer, finances or volunteering, please contact Rev. David Kim.

Glorybound youth learn, grow and serve with LINC

When young people put their heart into something, amazing things can happen.

Just that occurred when over 900 youth and adult leaders converged on The Woodlands, TX for Glorybound 2012, the Texas District youth gathering.

Spending time in worship, devotion, fellowship and teaching the youth also put their hands and feet where their hearts were - they served Houston in a big way.

Teaming up with Generation One and LINC Houston, the youth made a positive impact serving the city of Houston's multi-cultural milieu.

Working with LINC's Mission Department, the youth served alongside five mission congregations and helped distribute food, pray for neighborhoods downtown, put on VBS activities, perform street evangelism, clean a house, paint a building and more.

The youth's interaction with LINC Houston began at "the Commons" at the conference hotel in The Woodlands. Interacting with Mission Director Rev. David Kim and his wife Rebecca, Church Planting Coordinator Andres Zelaya and Missional Trainer Ken Chitwood the high schoolers played Korean bingo, tried on ethnic garb from Houston immigrant communities and learned more about LINC's "glocal mission."

The youth also blessed LINC leaders. On Saturday night over 40 different mission leaders gathered on stage at the main event to share LINC's vision, but also to receive a prayer and blessing from Glorybound participants.

Yet, if you asked the kids, their most important interaction with LINC came through service.

Over two days, 420 different students volunteered with LINC ministries such as UNVEIL Church, a newhouse church in the Third Ward and Comunidad de Gracia.

Serving alongside LINC leaders, volunteers learned what it means to impact a multi-ethnic city like Houston.

"By serving the youth got to see what is going on in our city," said Katie Thomas, who helped coordinate and oversaw the urban mission teams.

"They saw the multi-cultural reality that is Houston and saw what needs exist in the inner city," she said.

Especially for local youth groups from Pilgrim Lutheran in the Southwest, Trinity Klein or Memorial Katy the experience can be extended as they return to working alongside the same churches in the same communities in the future.

"They were blown away by the fact that it is all right here in their own city," said Rev. David Kim.

One experience in particular made an immediate impression on volunteers and the community alike. Serving with UNVEIL Church downtown, the youth engaged in prayer walking and street evangelism. Most of them did not come from an inner-city context, but they were able to see the impact of a prayer and person-to-person evangelism.

"We were uncomfortable at first," said one youth, "but it came together in the end.."

The experience not only inspired youth to try this in their own hometown, but helped UNVEIL be more present in their mission context. Their prayer and evangelism brought immediate results as UNVEIL threw a block party on Saturday evening, which attracted over 100 people, including many who were prayed for the day before.

Reflecting on this, and other forms of service at Glorybound, Pastor Kim said, "More than participating in a service activity they were missionaries in the city."

Did your youth group serve with LINC and like to do it again? Would you like to bring a group, young or old or mixed, to serve alongside a LINC congregation? These urban mission trips are life-changing and a great help to LINC churches. Contact Pastor Kim or Urban Mission Trip Coordinator Katie Thomas.

What does "glocal mission" look like?

"Glocal Mission" is a catch pharse of Mission Director Pastor David Kim. It's not a new concept but something is already reflected in Matt. 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8. GLOCAL is a fusion of two word: GLOBAL and LOCAL. Glocal Mission simply means that REACHING the unreached with the Gospel and MAKING disciples of all nations LOCALLY and GLOBALLY.

Some churches focus only on domestic/local missions while some other churches only overseas/international missions. However, Kim believes the biblical mandate and God's desire is not only going to ALL tongues, tribes and nations, but making disciples of all nations/people right next door. 

With a stunning amount of ethnic diversity, North America is one of the largest missions fields in the world. In fact, in our very own cities we have massive mission fields. 

"The mission field is right where we're living," said Kim, "in our own backyards."

Kim raised a Congolese/Pan-African congregation as an example of how we can accomplish GLOCAL Mission.  

"By partnering and reaching Congolese people at home in Houston, they themselves can take the Gospel back to their home countries to their own language group," he said.

On July 22nd, Pastor Kim visited the Congolese church to celebrate a year's worth of mission in the city. 

The church began last year with 25 members and was looking for a place to worship. Working with LINC, Pastor Austin Tshibangu and his congregation were able to partner with Rev. Bauer and Pilgrim Lutheran Church to have a consistent facility to offer worship services in. Now, God has blessed them with growth as 96 people worship there on Sundays.

Kim said, "It's so fun and easy to reach and make disciples of ALL nations RIGHT here and RIGHT now utilizing God's given resources to His church." 

"You don't have to speak their languages," said Kim, "our role is to facilitate and resource and their job is reaching their own people and making disciples as missionaries."

For LINC Houston and Pastor Kim, all of this is considered possible because, as Kim said, "our God is a GLOCAL Missionary God."

To learn more about GLOCAL Mission, and see how your church can get involved, visit the GLOCAL MISSION site or contact Pastor Kim. 

Mission Director to equip leaders at local conference

The face of America is changing. New realities of an increasingly diverse and ethnic population requirescultural sensitivity and an intentional pursuit of the multi-ethnic vision. America is facing a new migration.God has brought the nations to our doorstep. The way we reach the world is no longer only by traveling to India or Africa on mission trips; but stepping outside our door and talking to our African or Indian neighbors. We are engaging in missional conversations in our neighborhoods and offices.

Come and listen as David Kim and Jonathan Williams, along with other LINC Houston multi-ethnic church planters, lead you with the information and tools that prepare you better in the task of the Urban and Glocal-Mission church planting. Both are in the field as cross-cultural mission church planters and mission strategists. They have tested and applied these biblical and practical principles with great fruit.

If you are considering ethnic and or multi-ethnic church planting or asking yourself why the church should do urban and glocal missions, this track is for you.

For more information on the speakers that will be a part of the Multi-Ethnic WikiTrack check outwiki52.com, click on Speakers, then Multi-Ethnic.

If you are interested in attending the conference for its other tracks touching on coaching, church rejuvenation, church planting, worship arts, organizational development or more, visit theWikiconference website to learn more and register!

Conference engages hearts & hands with LINC's help

This July, the master-planned community of The Woodlands will have to put up with a little bit of chaos when nearly 1,000 teenagers coming to town. 

Starting July 19, over will 850 youth, plus chaperones, from across Texas will descend upon The Woodlands for a four day youth conference entitled “Glorybound: Uncommon Unity.” The conference will feature teaching and experiences geared towards exciting and engaging the faith of youth and young adults involved with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LC-MS) in Texas. 

Across the Evangelical Christian spectrum, and especially in the LC-MS, young people are falling away from the church and opting for more “spiritual,” but not “religious” pathways to belief. This gathering is aimed at combatting this trend and reconnecting these youth to their faith community. 

Organizers hope attendees will become bolder in their faith expressions, and closer with fellow Christians, after attending the event. “In today’s culture it is uncommon to have true unity in faith or to glorify Jesus in front of anybody,” said Brett Bortnem, co-director of the event. 

“We pray it can become a common thing for youth to unite with their own communities to make a difference at home,” he said. 

To inspire this type of response, organizers have a three prong approach intended to engage attendees’ heads, hearts and hands. Bortnem said, “Not only do we have great local and national speakers, excellent worship and community events, but service is a big part of the conference.”

Each of the youth will have the opportunity to serve with two local non-profits: LINC Houston or Generation One, two organizations seeking revitalization and restoration in the city of Houston. 

Katie Thomas of LINC Houston mentioned that they are excited to partner with Glorybound and deploy nearly 400 youth to help with projects across the city. Thomas agrees with the conference’s vision and believes the service will augment youths’ faith. 

“These projects offer students hands-on, transformative experiences to live out their faith,” she said. Thomas added, “From painting fences and classrooms to putting on Vacation Bible Schools, these projects will help high school students see the city through Christ’s eyes.”

Still, one wonders if all of this will be able to confront a growing divide between the Christian church in America and the emerging Millennial generation. 

Nearly two-thirds of youth and young adults are lukewarm about their religion. Many of them do not pray regularly, attend worship services or read the Bible. Over half are unsure if following Jesus is the only way to heaven, a basic tenet of the Christian faith. 

Writing in his book You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church...And Rethinking Faith, David Kinnaman said, “Teens and twentysomethings and the church are living in the tension of deep cultural change.” 

Kinnaman identifies the factors leading to a drop-off in young adults in the Christian church. Despite being brought up in the faith and attending events like Glorybound, many youth and “twentysomethings” feel judged by the church, disengaged and that Christianity is shallow, unscientific and excluding. 

“The transmission of vibrant faith from one generation to the next is still to be determined,” he said. 

This concerns leaders like Bortnem who realize there is an uphill battle to fight. Nonetheless, he expects Glorybound will counter the potent drift from the Christian church by teaching students more about faith and giving them possibilities to serve and connect with other Christians. 

“Some kids just don’t know they are not alone or don’t get the opportunity to serve their community and live out their faith like this,” he said, “Glorybound will give them the chance to see they can stand out for their faith but they don’t stand alone, they have a community.”

This is focused at individuals like John H. Davis of Katy. A senior in high school, Davis is involved at a local church and looking forward to the gathering. “It will be a great opportunity to see and get to connect with other youth that believe what I do,” he said. 

Perhaps aware of the decline in young Christians, Davis added, “It is important for my generation to know it is important for us to be involved and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.”

Glorybound leaders have prepared, and now are praying, that attitudes like Davis’s will be the outcome of their event. Despite the statistics and trends, they still have faith that the next generation will have uncommon faith, and uncommon unity. 

*This story is a guest post from Sacred Duty, a Houston Belief blog at Chron.com. It will appear in print on Friday, July 13, 2012 in the Houston Chronicle's Belief Section. 

Volunteers branch out with VBS, plant seeds

Children sing, and praise Jesus, along with volunteers from St. John Cypress & Iglesia Cristiana EmanuelSummertime is Vacatian Bible School time. Every church on every block is hosting a different VBS with a different theme. VBS programs are so prevalent that instead of paying for a full-time summer camp, many parents enroll their children in sequential VBS programs in their town and that fills their child's summer calendar. 

Still, there are many Houston kids who do not have the opportunity to attend VBS due to cost, lack of transportation or the fact that in their part of the city no church has one on offer. 

In an effort to reach children and families in the Aldine area Iglesia Cristiana Emanuel, St. John Cypress and LINC Houston partnered together to offer a VBS at the Deerfield Apartment Complex at I-45 and the Beltway from June 25-27. 

The three day event was an awesome success. With over 55 volunteers and 35-50 children, in addition to their families, in attendance everyday the event was tantamount to a big block party at the apartment complex. 

"The kids in these apartments do not have the means to attend VBS like suburban kids," said Katie Thomas, Mission Team Co-ordinator at LINC Houston.

"The vision is to bring VBS to them so that they can hear the Gospel, experience the love of Christ and share the good news with their friends and neighbors," she said, "but to do that you have to go to the people and meet needs in their community."

Folks from St. John, Iglesia Cristiana Emanuel and a volunteer group from ACTS Lakeway in Austin, TX did just that. For three days the teams worked tirelessly in the oppressive heat cooking hot dogs, making sno-cones, singing songs, telling and translating the Bible story, playing games and making crafts with the kids.

It was a traditional VBS, in the untraditional setting of an apartment complex's parking lot.

Pastor Nelson Rodriguez of Iglesia Cristiana Emanuel and Pastor Steven DeMik of St. John Cypress built bridges with the community, but also connected with the administrators at the apartment complex. The complex allowed the churches exclusive use of the shaded parking lot area and also offered storage for tables, chairs and other VBS items throughout the week. 

"Having the right location helps determine whether the event will be a success or well received," said Pastor DeMik.

This positive relationship between the churches, the community and the complex is just beginning. In December they hope to hold their Toys for Joy event at the same location in December. 

Thomas said, "When a group of believers branches out of their comfort zone and reaches out to people where they are most comfortable, transformation begins to happen and seeds are planted."

Certainly, seeds were planted. Perhaps in December they will start to bloom. 

*To see more photos from the event, visit our Facebook album. 

Third ward church - simple surroundings, majestic vision

Pastor Ojode stands in front of the simple home that serves as the base for the church's vision of restoration. The home has no A/C, there are holes underneath the faucet and the adjacent property is overgrown and overrun with roaches of every sort. 

It's not the type of place that inspires superficially. 

Still, Pastor John Ojode believes this location is a springboard for transformation, both spiritual and physical, in the Third Ward of Houston. 

"I want to see this community rise to another level," said Ojode, "I want to see lives altered by the power of the Spirit and the work of this church." 

Originally from Kenya, Pastor Ojode recently relocated to Houston after his seminary studies. His wife teaches business management at Texas Southern University and the pair, along with their children, are excited about the potential of their new house church in a community desperately in need of hope and freedom. 

On this Sunday morning the heat is just starting to rise as worship begins with a chorus, "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus." There is no accompaniment, no slides, just tattered hymnals and the voices of some 20 or so African immigrants and African Americans and their families seated on donated couches and assembled chairs. 

Even so, the chorus rings out with a simple beauty. Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Nothing but the blood. After a few more songs the gathered community of missional believers hears a message from Acts 17. Roused, they discuss how they can better connect with the people around them. They envision the transfiguration of their surroundings. They trust in the promise of God to work all things together for good. They are excited about expanding the Kingdom of God. 

After worship they eat some Nigerian meat pies and fast food pizza. A couple who used to be homeless are talking about new job opportunities, their baby and their need for more reliable housing. Several members offer to help with rides, applications etc. 

Pastor Ojode said, "we started with some homeless outreach, and now we have this brother and sister with us." 

"It was simple enough to serve them and now they worship Jesus with us, it will be the same with the rest of the community; I have plans," said Ojode. 

Certainly, Pastor Ojode has a grand vision for this community and he is hard at work teaching with LINC Houston and other community partners to make it happen. For now, they continue with worship and Pastor Ojode focuses on plugging holes in the walls, keeping the fans running to cut the heat and stomping on roaches as they cross the floor. 

"There is a lot of work," said Ojode, "some of it inglorious, but it's worth it to see this community transformed by the Spirit." 

From Houston to Mexico City

Pastor Rodrigo Fernandez not only partners in ministry at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Houston, but recently travelled to Mexico to extend his outreach there and train others for mission ministry.

At the end of May, Rev. Fernandez travelled to lead a class on Christian counseling at LINC Houston's School of Theology and Mission (STM) in Mexico City. 

"It was a blessing in many ways," said Fernandez.

Not only was the LINC pastor privileged to teach 20 women and men of God about the basics of Christian counseling, but he was also able to reach out to family members connected to his church in Houston. 

While teaching the course, Jorge and Vianey Leon, members of Pastor Fernandez's church in Houston, asked him to pay a visit to their parents in Mexico City. Jorge and Vianey had been speaking to their parents about God's unfailing love and forgiveness, about their church and Pastor Rodrigo and how God had done amazing things in their lives. Pastor Rodrigo took the opportunity to visit their parents during his stay in Mexico City and through these visits, both families came to Christ.

Upon his return to Houston, Pastor Fernandez had the opportunity to share these exciting stories with his church.  

"When they heard of the good things that God had done in Mexico City through Pastor Rodrigo, the church gave a love offering to LINC for scholarships for other students in Mexico City," said Rev. David Kim, Mission Director at LINC Houston, "this is an immense blessing for our ministry there." 

Now, not only does Pastor Fernandez's church reach out to people here in Houston, but they have a foothold for the Gospel in Mexico City through intentional family outreach and consistent theological training through LINC's School of Theology and Mission in Mexico's capital. 

Church celebrates major milestone

In January 2008 the Avalos family opened their house for worship. Just four years and that small gathering has grown into a church of 60 adults and 20 children. 

To celebrate the blessings of these last four years Pastor Duglas Ayala and his wife Ana of Santaurio de Poder (Shrine of Power) threw an anniversary party. 

"We have not been without struggle," said Pastor Ayala, "death, theft and secularism have battled us, but in it all we see the glory of God and know he has much better in store for us later." 

Following a break-in in October 2011 the congregation moved to a bigger and cheaper location in an area full of physical and spiritual need. Since moving here Santaurio de Poder's worship attendance has grown and they are making an impact in their new community. The congregation is active in women's, men's and children's ministries. 

"What I admire of pastor Douglas Ayala is his spirit of teachability and commitment to the service of church planting ministry," said Rev. David Kim.

"His is a great example of bi-vocational and self-sustaining church planting models among LINC Church Plants."

Pastor Ayala, being a bi-vocational leader and not a "full-time" pastor, know he could not do this alone. As a testimony to this fact, one of the highlights of the 4th anniversary was the recognition of 7 leaders who give their time, talent and treasure and maintain the church with their faithfulness to the Gospel.

It is this team commitment to ministry that will sustain Santaurio de Poder into the future. 

Kim said, "I believe if any church can move forward it is by the Holy Spirit's work and these kind of unsung and faithful heroes of the Kingdom."