Back from China

Left: Steve Chin, HKCOC Senior Minister
Me teaching/discussing with the Hong Kong COC Staff
Lynne's Birthday

Zap welcomes all of us...

I just got back from a trip to Hong Kong, where I had the great privilege and joy to meet with various regional leaderships, the full-time staff, and preach at a Bring-Your-Neighbor-Day. Like Jay, I’ve put in photos this time—ah-men.
Steve and Jane Chin—who are coming to our summer Northwest Christian Conference—are leading the nearly 1900-member HK church now and doing a truly amazing job. I’ve rarely seen such work and innovation. I don’t dare print here all the initiatives that the Chins have implemented in the last 12 months lest I overwhelm our local disciples! I will say, however, that we’re all close to being on the same page.
Anyway, the HK church is growing again, baptizing again, and hopefully soon we will be able to access video updating from their website. They are steadfast in planting churches in China (nearly 20 now) and can certainly use our ongoing sacrifices. Let us not grow weary in supporting them in a mission to “win as many as possible.” Isn’t it kind of jolting, in our Western-centric world—to think that if we do that, then heaven will have more Chinese people in it than any other??

57 Seconds On the Wild Side

by Jay Kelly

Carol and I have had an exciting weekend. Actually, they are all exciting with two teenage daughters. Paige is 16 and Chandler is 14.

Here is a 57 second video of our daughter, Paige's walk on the wild side with three friends she's known most of her life. Jordan Nitchoff and Sara Brumley and Steven Ulm. She's known Jordan and Sara all of her life and Steven for 11 of her 16 years. It's great to see our kids having fun with other Kingdom Kids. Sara's date on the red carpet is Drew Caraway and Paige's date it Steven Hertogs. Teens from all over the country flew in for this event.

Elody Adjibly was the party planner. Megan Ham, Sarah Villanueva, Shaun Tucker, Carol Kelly, Walter Stanford, and all of the teen workers made this a night to never forget.

For you parents who were too afraid to show up here is a 57 second glimpse into your teens' red carpet world.

Our Trip to the Great Land Christian Church

On Friday night, February 22nd, Darin and I took a flight - DESTINATION ANCHORAGE, ALASKA! Ray and Stephany Nadon lead that church of a little over 100 disciples. We were warmly greeted at the airport by Ray and Stephany. The reception was so warm that onlookers at the airport probably thought Darin was Ray’s long lost brother coming home!! Staying with the Nadons was like checking into a B&B. They were gracious hosts and made us feel very much at home.

On Saturday, we had a 6 hour workshop with the Music Ministry intern and disciples involved in the Music Ministry in Anchorage. The church in Alaska is full of disciples with hearts eager to serve and this was evident at the workshop on Saturday. We had an encouraging time with the Nadons after the workshop and a little adventure (of course - it is the Nadons!)

On Sunday morning, Darin preached a great lesson on “Worship.” The service ended as Darin led the congregation in singing, “O Happy Day” (the singers in Alaska had asked him to teach them that song). It was appropriate to end with “O Happy Day” because Dennis – who had been studying for a couple of years - was finally baptized after service that Sunday.

It was refreshing to see the disciples in Anchorage and to spend time with the Nadons. We pray often for our sister churches in the Northwest and now our prayers for the Great Land Christian Church can be more specific.