Sometimes people ask me what ministry on a Sunday AM looks like in Madagascar. Good question. Here is a brief summary of the day.
I arrived at Ampititafika at 9:00 AM. I left my car on the street and descended through the winding neighborhood towards Pastor John's church. I passed the little bakery cooking mofogasy (rice bread) over a fire, a charcoal depot, several open sewers, piles of garbage, several mangy dogs, and some of the most beautiful kids I've ever seen dressed mostly in rags.
Arriving at the church building, the congregation of several hundred had already assembled and the service started right away. We sang several choruses as the team of musicians lead us in praise. Every window and door in the building was open and the wind whipped through the concrete building. It was so cold my body was shaking. Fortunately, I had my NorthFace jacket thanks to Matt & Grace Johnson that kept me from hypothermia.
Soon the songs transitioned to a quieter more reverent feel. Many lifted their hands as we continued singing. There was a beautiful sense of Christ's presence. Pastor took charge of the service after some 45 minutes and called the congregation to pray. We lifted our voices to the Lord. He then asked me to come forward and share the Word of God.
The message's title today was "It's Our Turn Now." I preached on the race of faith and the upward call. I looked at Hebrews 11:39-12:3. It's a beautiful passage talking about the great exploits of faith performed in the past by the heroes of the faith of the Old Testament. They now form a cloud of witnesses waiting to see our race of faith. They are heaven's spectators cheering us home. Why are they so intent on our race? God has prepared something good for those mentioned in chapter 11 only together with us!
Our race of faith has more significance than the Olympics or any race run in London the past 3 weeks. Our race is one that will build off of the efforts of previous generations. Likewise previous generations are depending on our race. Together we are called to inherit the promises of God.
Thus, we are the heroes of faith in this generation. It is our turn now.
Three verbs are given to us to help us in this race: "throw off", "run", "fix our eyes". I won't take time to develop the points. However, here they are: We must cast off everything that hinders and the sin that entangles because it is our turn now. We must run our race! It is our turn now. We must look unto Jesus staying away from the distractions that pull us from Him. It is our turn now.
Several illustrations conveyed the message: I took off my dress shoes and put on my running shoes reiterating the importance of being ready. I had several back-packs that I loaded myself up with to demonstrate the futility of trying to run when we are carrying sin and different hindrances. I had a stick that I hobbled with representing the futility of trying to run when you are carrying wounds and offenses.
I concluded by challenging people to make a fresh commitment to their race of faith. No two are the same. Your race of faith is not mine; and mine is not yours. Instead of comparing each other and being jealous or criticizing, we must actually get in the race and RUN! It's our turn now.
Many came forward to seek God at the close of the service. There was a brokenness in the room. People wept as the forgave each other and let God heal the wounds of the past. It was beautiful.
Somewhere near 12.00 service dismissed. A group lingered in the back corner praying for a young lady possessed by evil spirits. She shrieked and cried as the demons were cast out.
Pastor invited me upstairs to a hall where the church had prepared lunch. We ate mountains of rice with some kind of a chicken veggie stir-fry and pork chops cooked with peas. Pastor's wife knows I love squash so she had prepared a special dish just for me. I felt so honored! Several visiting pastors sat around the table. They were in town for the just concluded national conference for the AG. We had a great time talking and telling stories.
Somewhere around 2:15 I headed back towards my car. A self-appointed watchman hit me up for money as I approached the car. I had no problem helping him out.
There you have it.
I close with this simple challenge: It's YOUR TURN NOW.
