KLB Inauguration

The alarm went off at 5:20am so I could have a quick, quiet shower before being picked up to go to the radio station for the 6:00am live stream. Berwyn and Julius took me and we got to the radio station punctually and waited for the announcer to arrive. He finally pitched up at 5:59am just in time to enter his cubicle and speak directly into the microphone. He said two sentences and there was a power cut. Change of plan. No radio broadcast and I hadn't had my coffee! Grace abounds. We made our way back to our hotel and I invited them for breakfast. After spending a bit of time with the radio producer, we made our way to Bo's until it was time to go to Kingdom Life Butuan for their Sunday meeting and the special inauguration ceremony.

The room was packed and because of the power cut that then lastet until evening, we couldn't use any electrical equipment for the worship and speaking. We proceeded anyway and there was great joy in the house. It was a very special time as the children sang for us and we ordained Roszel and confirmed Julius as the senior leaders of KLB. I then shared a message from Isaiah 61 as a prophetic word for KLB that God has planted them as oaks of righteousness for the display of His splendour. We then shared communion together and blessed the church.

After a yummy lunch we went with Julius, Roszel, Berwyn,Liberty and the kids to try the traditional Halo-Halo, a dessert that is basically a mixture of different things. Ours had sweet corn, coconut, ice cream and other interesting-tasting ingredients. It was delicious. After saying bye-bye to the Halo-Halo, we made our way back to the hotel with Berwyn, Liberty and the kids so that they could swim in the pool for he afternoon.

In the evening we attended KLB's first youth meeting and over 60 young people came. We spent some time in worship and then I was asked to share a message. I spoke on God's calling a generation of radical worshippers and urged the young people to follow God wholeheartedly. God's presence was wonderful and the Holy Spirit was clearly stirring hearts into flame. It was a powerful evening and I am excited to see what God will do through those who submit to His call.

As we are finishing off for the day, we are enjoying some of this delicious, exotic fruit. I have forgotten what it is called. It tastes amazing.

Thank you Lord for another amazing day and for the lives you are impacting and will impact through KLB!

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for he display of His splendour." Isaiah 61:3

Raising the Next Generation

After a good night's rest and a few souvenirs from some Philippine mosquitoes, we had our breakfast (of course including my traditional morning mangoes) and then made our way to Bo's where we collected our cup-of-cinos and where we had arranged to be picked up by Berwyn. In the morning we spent time with the core leadership group. Once again Frances and I spoke about essence and form so that the leaders understand that our purpose in planting Kingdom Life Butuan is not to form a copy of how we do things in Frankfurt but that they understand why we do what we do so that they have the freedom to have their own expression of Kingdom values and the essence of Kingdom living. Frances and I showed them how we need to live from the reality of the Kingdom to bring heaven on earth. They are a very young group of people who are hungry for God and excited to be part of what God is doing through KLF and now through KLB.

After a quick lunch we did some admin stuff and then made our way to one of the areas where KLB ministers to the street children. The place where the children meet is in one of the homes of one of the members a little further out from Butuan in a slightly remote area where there are no other churches or organisations looking after the children's needs apart from KLB now. As we arrived we saw a heap of flip flops (sandals) that fitted some very tiny feet, gathered at the entrance of a wooden-paneled house. Inside were over 30 children seated on the floor as some of the KLB leaders sang songs with them. I was asked to share a message with them. On the way to the gathering, I had asked the Holy Spirit what to share and then He gave me the idea to share the truth of God's love using a banana. Needless to say the kids and I had a lot of fun as I explained to them that God loves bananas and that He is more concerned about what is inside us than what the skin looks like! After the message, the kids each received a lunch box with fried noodles and bread in it. They were delighted and everyone tucked in with joy. It is really moving to see how people who live in such humble conditions open their homes for the benefit of the poor and needy. There is such love and kindness released through their generosity that reveals the heart of the Father and the nature of the Kingdom.

After our time with the children we headed back to KLB where I was asked to share a word with the KLB youth group. We looked at what it means to receive fullness of life in Christ how God has created everyone of them uniquely for His pleasure and purposes. After the meeting we were brought back to the hotel so we could get an early night because tomorrow morning I have a radio broadcast at the heavenly hour of 6:00am and that without my cup-of-cino! "Gooooood morning Butuaaaaaan!"
No cockroaches sighted today...

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3

 

Leaders' Seminar

After a pretty rough night trying to sleep in a room next to a very noisy road, we had our breakfast and made a beeline for Bo's Coffee place to get a decent coffee to keep us going. Julius and Berwyn picked us up at 8.00am and we made our way to a place commonly called RTR, near Cabadbaran where Berwyn lives and pastors Mabini Christian Fellowship. In RTR is the Four Square Church that we have visited before at previous visits that is pastored by pastor Lumba. Pastors and leaders had been invited to attend a day seminar and to fellowship together over a lunch that we provided.

Our purpose was to help the leaders think about the difference between essence and form and to learn to ask the right questions in terms of what they do and why they are doing what they do. Frances and I shared the teaching and we had a lot of fun interacting with the people and challenging traditional mindsets. Our aim was not to give all the answers but for the leaders to be equipped to ask the right questions that they can answer themselves. After 2 sessions in the morning and afternoon we offered to pray for the leaders and many came forward to be ministered to. God is so faithful. Frances and I were pretty tired by the time it came to pray for over 30 people but God began to give us prophetic words and power to pray for the sick. One man felt the fire of God all over his body. Another man said he could see better after receiving prayer for healing. There were many tears and some were deeply ministered to as the Holy Spirit touched their hearts and lives with His love and presence. God's grace is truly sufficient for us as His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9).

We praise God for the many testimonies of leaders who said that they had received fresh revelation and felt equipped to take their ministries further. Hallelujah!

After a long but powerful time, we were invited for dinner at Berwyn and Liberty's home in Cabadbaran. It was a joy to see the whole family and I spent most of the time playing with Christopher and Christine. It was a lot of fun! I really don't mind my bald head being used as a landing pad for all sorts of animals and toys.

Thank you Lord for revealing your heart today and for bringing us back to the essence of what you have called us to as leaders and as your people.

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

 

Ministers of Hope

Well, we have finally arrived. After leaving Frankfurt on Tuesday morning and spending a day in Hong Kong, arriving in Manila at 1:20am and catching our flight to Butuan at 12:00pm today, we finally arrived in Butuan and were warmly received by Berwyn, Julius, Roszel and Aaron (Julius' brother).

It is quite humid and hot here. After a welcome lunch, we headed to our hotel and rested a bit. In the evening we had our first activity with KLB. A group of young people gathered to prepare for their weekly outreach activity where they go to a local area to minister to the street kids and give them some food to eat. They share the Gospel with them and 6 or more young leaders then take a small group of kids to speak to them and find out more about them. They then pray with the children. It was wonderful to see the joy on the street children's faces and to hear the testimonies of how the leaders were moved with compassion for these needy children. Frances, Berwyn and I sat in McDonalds and while we were there a group of 6 young men joined our table. I struck a convesation wth them and began to ask them about their future. I was propmpted by the Holy Spirit to speak hope and a future into their lives and they became more and more intrigued and their faces lit up. God was giving them hope and He was showing them that their future is only secure in Him. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the assurance of the hope we have. I am pretty sure they will be at the KLB service on Sunday to which I invited them.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Ordination of Pastor Julius

On Sunday (4 May 2014) pastors Richard and Frances Morschel, together with bishop Sony Okpekpe,ordained Julius Regala as pastor of Kingdom Life Butuan. You can listen to the ordination here.

Pastor Julius Regala

We are excited to have pastor Julius Regala with us in Frankfurt! Julius is the senior leader of Kingdom Life Butuan, our first church plant in the Philippines. We are thrilled to be part of God's work in Butuan and in the Philippines and we are expecting breakthrough in the area as God reveals His Kingdom through His people.

Kingdom Life Butuan

Glory to God!

The Mabini Project has developed into the planting of a new church in Butuan. In July 2014 Kingdom Life Frankfurt will be launching a new church plant in Butuan: Kingdom Life Butuan. We praise God for His faithfulness and for what He is planning to do through KLB. We are excited about furthering God's Kingdom in the Philippines and seeing many lives changed with the presence, the love and the power of God. Hallelujah.

In July, pastors Richard and Frances Morschel will be travelling to Butuan to inaugurate KLF's new church plant. We will be updating this blog as we approach this exciting trip...