Michael Hindes - The WR Journey from a Coach's Perspective...

Follow Me Here...

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks to Ryan Essmacker I now have my own website - http://michaelhindes.com/ ...

I will use it to post blogs, videos, photos, and updates. It's linked to my Facebook and Twitter accounts as well - so you can get as much of me as you can stand.

New Zealand Launch

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This afternoon Kathy and I leave for New Zealand to launch the two January '10 World Race Squads. Starting today we have 265 World Racers on the field. There are racers in Eastern and Southern Africa, South East Asia, and now in the "land down under".

We will do some last minute training of coaches and squad leaders. We'll sit in on team debriefs as we set the standard for community living. We'll worship, pray, activate, and teach. It will be a jammed packed few days. And it will end as all other launches do, in hugs and tears while another 110 Fire Breathing World Changers are commissioned.

Here is the outline of what we'll be teaching this week. It's a series I taught as we transitioned our home church more than a year ago. It's a message that all of us Christ followers need to live.

What You'll Need on the Road Ahead:

The Presence of God - We all understand about God's omnipresence, but there is a distinct difference between that and His manifest presence. We need to know how to cultivate the presence of God in our lives through: the word, His voice, worship, and our walk.

Willingness to Change - Most people hate change and Christians seem to struggle with this more than most. My favorite verse about change is found in Deuteronomy 6:23. Moses is reminding the Children of Israel "God (often) has to take us out to bring us in". In order to get to the next step of our journey the previous step has to end. This is the heart and the vision for the World Race.

A Positive Attitude - It is said that your attitude at the beginning of a task directly impacts your ability to complete the task. On the Race attitudes are to kept in check and in fact expected to improve each step of the way.

A Limited Amount of Emotional Baggage - From the first day of training camp, through the entire year, and then at final debrief we will do everything we can to facilitate each participant's freedom from their past. Salvation isn't so much an event as an ongoing walk to the complete freedom made available in Christ.

Traveling Companions - We need people in our lives. We weren't built to do life alone. We challenge the racers to create an environment for healthy teams. We have four core values for team life: teams must be safe, they must be a place of preference, they must be a place of high consideration, and they must be a place of high courage. These values will directly impact the health of a racer's future family as well.

Pray for us as we travel, for the squads who are launching, and pray for the following leaders.

Dave & Bernadette Fredriksz - Coaches

Roger & Rozy McCormick - Coaches

Robby Riggs - Squad Leader

Tara Stephenson - Squad Leader

Mark Schandel - Squad Leader

Kyla Cornelius - Squad Leader

The Legacy I Want to leave

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For about 10 days now all three of our sons have been home. We have had a great time together. Our days are filled with reading, emails, debating the issues of the day, and watching movies. Our evenings are mostly spent with extended family and friends laughing and reminiscing. I'm not a real fan of the holidays normally, but this year has been awesome - no travel, no hurriedness, just time together.

One evening the five of us watched the 25^th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We were glued to the TV for four hours as we sang along with our favorite artists. There they were Stevie, James, Ozzie, Bruce, and many others singing their greatest hits! We love the sound of the guitar, we appreciate the slapping and thumping of the bass, and of course we admire a really good rock ballad. We are by anyone's definition a rock-n-roll family.

All this time together with our sons and the reminiscing with others has really gotten me thinking about the legacy I want to leave. I think this issue of legacy is also being stirred by the fact that I'll be 50 in about 7 weeks. Not trying to be morbid, I just really want to be intentional regarding what I leave our sons. I can tell you this, there won't be a lot of money, but I hope there will be lots of great stories and funny memories.

So this is my list, it isn't complete by any stretch, but it's a good start. I want to leave my sons:

A committed love for one woman

A strong commitment to family

A heart that's driven by vision and inner voice

The ability to push hard when the heat and pressure are on

The ability to laugh when the heat and pressure ease off

An overwhelming grace for people who are different

An inquiring mind that doesn't settle for easy already found answers

A sharp mind that understands context and remembers the fatal mistakes of the past (as to not repeat them)

A deep desire and love for Jesus

An extreme patience with His church

An increasing openness to the Spirit

And of course, a love for rock and roll...

The 10 Mistakes I made in Marriage (part two)

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is part two of the mistakes I made in marriage. Part one I posted on 12/23/09. I've included the links to the audio files so you can listen to the message as well.

Marriage Mistakes (part one) - audio file

Marriage Mistakes (part two) - audio file

The 10 Mistakes I made in Marriage (continued)

6. I didn't know what love meant to Kathy

- I, like most men, am a fixer; so I thought love meant I was supposed to fix everything for Kathy

- She didn't want me to fix things for her, she wanted me to listen to her; that concept is still often too fresh for me

- Kathy desires - time, settledness, and peace; when I promote those things, I am speaking love to her

- Good Books about our uniqueness:

Gary Chapman - Five Love Languages

Marcus Buckingham - Discover Your Strengths

Cindy Tobias - The way they Work

- My role is to love and communicate love over any thing else

7. I was never trained in the use of Money

- Money is one of the top three issues debated in all of our homes

- Money is such a huge issue, but very few pastors ever teach about it (I wonder if that's because they don't understand it either)

- Bankruptcy rates are on the rise and with it the number of failed marriages

- Top things I've learned about money:

Delay gratification

Budget

Give

Save

Delay gratification

8. I waited too long to stop making Judgments

- Jesus warned that if we judge (criticize) that we could expect to receive the very same amount, veracity, and lethalness back into our own lives

- I was too critical of other people's families and I found out that it affected our lives more than it did theirs

- There is something even worse than a judgment it's called a vow. Ever noticed that when you criticize another person (like your parent) and then end your criticism with "I would never do that" that you usually end up doing it?

- Stop Making Judgments and Vows Right Now - it just may save your marriage!

9. I confused my role as a Parent

- I have already written about this at length and will share very soon the notes from my message "The Ten Mistakes I made as a Father"

- Let me share two common mistakes that many parents make regularly:

They think their job is to be their child's friend

They think their job is to get their child friends

- These mistakes are driven by the parents' own skewed self image (please see # 5 above)

10. I spent too much time on Right and Wrong thinking

- Like Eve in the garden, I kept eating from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" rather than the "tree of life"

- I often found myself battling to be "right" inside our marriage and home. And by golly, I was often "right", in fact I was often "dead right"

- Christians, especially, feel that they must be right all the time. They hate to admit they maybe are wrong or partially informed. In fact, it drives me nuts to think that most evangelicals call their political choice "the right"

- I can guarantee I will write more on this topic in the future

- Let me close by saying that when I stopped caring about who was right, Kathy and I started to live in more peace....

The 10 Mistakes I made in Marriage

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I want to share my notes from a message I preached nearly 4 years ago at our home church.

Kathy and I were celebrating our 25^th wedding anniversary at the time (I'm trying to find the audio link on our church website even as I write - when I have it, I'll make it available).

This is intended to be a conversation not a message, so please respond. These are really just talking points, not completed thoughts.

I've made a lot more mistakes than just 10; thank God love covers a multitude of sins & mistakes.

The intended audience: people dating, engaged, married, looking to be married, currently have children, currently thinking about children, or have children in any one of these stages of life.

To start with here's what I recommend to couples wanting to get married: be together at least one year, get premarital counseling including some sort of an assessment, on purpose pick a fight about: money, children, extended families, and holidays

The 10 Mistakes I made in Marriage

1. I was in a Hurry

- "All things are beautiful in His time"

- Timing is so important, but I was always in a hurry to get to where I was going next

- I kept pressing the relationship to next level, b/c of my fear of rejection. That often put too much pressure on Kathy

- Our Bad Examples - we both got too serious way too young (both 17 years old), got married before college was done (not smart), big expensive house purchased in our third year of marriage (very dumb)

- The Ramifications - created debt and driveness in our family

2. I was looking for the OK rather than the Blessing

- Kathy's parents had concerns, but we kept pushing forward

- Biblical examples indicate that a parental blessing is normal and should be expected

- If it takes a little longer to get the blessing, wait for it

- This one mistake caused confusion in our home as Kathy was caught between two authorities, b/c she never really felt released by her parents

- It Caused unnecessary tension in my relationship with her

- It Caused unnecessary tension between her parents and us

3. I minimized the impact of Family of Origin

- In Exodus we are taught that blessing and iniquities get passed down

- Each family has differing personalities, coping skills, interacting styles, & lots of individualized baggage

- No one ever talked to us about generational curses and iniquities, so our young family became a weird blending of some terrible habits

- Example of differences in family styles - my family was loud, argumentative, and sarcastic - Kathy's family was quite, never teased, never argued, nor debated

- Our families' handled money, extended family, holidays, and conflict in total different ways - we were confused!

4. I misunderstood my Role

- According to Paul in Ephesians I'm to love my wife as Christ loved the Church

- My job is to protect, provide, accept, and influence by trustworthiness

- In my parents' home it was often a battle to see who was in charge, so I wanted to make sure I was the authority in my home. I often pushed my weight and my will around

- Let me tell you something I've had to learn - "If you have to keep reminding people you're in charge, you're really not"

- Now Kathy wasn't perfect either, because at home she had learned the art of passive- aggressive responses

5. I Looked for Kathy to meet all my Needs

- "Thou shall have no other gods before me"

- No, I wasn't really trying to make Kathy a god, it's just that I had some really big problems with my value & identity

- Kathy was neither gifted nor responsible to fix these issues

- My Mom told me about a year before she died something that she'd had to learn - "I could never put on your father a need that was supposed to be met by God; it was unfair to him, to me, and to God"

- As both Kathy and I began to look to the Father for our value & identity we developed an awesome, ever-growing, deeply fulfilling relationship with each other

Hope you enjoyed, I'll post the last five in a couple of days!

Who's Our Daddy?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have this question that keeps ratting through my brain. It's a question that we as parents must answer. Folks, it's time to check on what motivates our parental decisions. So here it goes - "Who's Our Daddy?"

Let me describe some parental dysfunctions that are leading me to ask this question. We are too often afraid to speak up regarding our children's friends, activities, and even their character. Why? Because, first and foremost we want our kids to like us. It makes us feel good, even fulfilled when our children like us. But is that what our parenting goal should be, to get our kids to like us?

The other major reason we often ignore their issues is because we want them to be liked. There's this sickness we have as parents, it's as if our rejection is healed by our kids' acceptance. This often causes us to push them too hard at sports, academics, and social activities. Here are some lies we've believed: them fitting in is us fitting in; them being popular is us being popular; them being liked is us being liked; them being successful is us being successful.

So we ignore things we should address and battle anyone who challenges his or her character. Why? Because if they are rejected we are rejected. We have our value and identity tied up in our children being liked and liking us. On those rare occasions that both those "likes" happen at the same time, all seems right with our world and our identity feels secured.

Are our children supposed to be the source of our value and identity? Doesn't that sound backward? Isn't our value and identity to come from first our earthly fathers and then our Heavenly Father? And isn't our children's value and identity to come from the same sources?

Our value being sourced by our kids is way too much pressure for them. No wonder stress related diseases are on the increase for children 18 and younger. No wonder adolescent addiction rates are on the rise. Our children are being forced to parent at too young an age.

Come on parents, let's step up here and take back our role. Lets love, encourage, comfort, set boundaries. Lets be more objective! Let them try, let them succeed, let them fail, let them be forced to work on their issues, let them find their own paths.

Let's let them off the hook for supplying our identity. Let's put ourselves back on the hook for being "Their Daddy (and of course their mommy)"....

"You're an Adult Now - Donald Hindes

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Twelve years ago yesterday I lost my dad, Donald Hindes. He had been struggling with major chronic illness for more than a decade. Although he was only 67 it was actually a relief to know that he was done battling his own body.

We were driving to Ann Arbor yesterday to visit our two youngest sons when Kathy reminded me of this date. I spent a lot of time last night pondering his life, our struggle with each other, and what I had learned from him.

Donald was a tough dude! He believed three things about raising children: corporal punishment was necessary, ADHD was a diagnosis for the undisciplined, and a spanking worked as well as Ritalin. Let me tell you, as a kid, I regularly needed something. I would have preferred the pill, but that wasn't what Don was prescribing.

Donald was also a tender man. He knew how to cry, to provide, to love, and to ask forgiveness. Because of his anger, he got really good at the latter.

He and I had an interesting relationship. Both stubborn, we often locked horns. I'm pretty sure that I wore him out with my constant talking, questions, and activity. I know he wore me out with his attitude that "children are to be seen and not heard". It was a match made in heaven...

My dad is the one who launched me into adulthood. I went through a rite of passage to become a man, that passage lead straight through my father. I started battling for my independence from him early on. There were two pivotal moments that let me know my dad considered me an adult. I want to share these with you.

At twenty I was a hot shot with all the answers. My dad and I argued about everything from the weather to politics. Not really arguing, more of a constant debate. One day he and I squared off on a topic we often had over the years. I never liked the tone he used with my mother, so one night I told him to stop or else. He called my bluff and we tussled. Not long, not hard, not really violently we just sort of grappled. We both got one good shot in and both walked away with a dark mark under one eye.

I know in this civilized and sanitized world we live in that there are going to be people who are appalled by this story. But this story was instrumental in my initiation. After the battle was over, my dad came to me in tears and apologized. He promised three things: to treat me like a man, to talk softer to my mother, and that he would never use physical force again to make his point. Donald Hindes became a man of his word.

We both wore our blackened eyes proudly. Donald's son was now a man because my dad said he was. It's not that we never disagreed again, we did and often. But it normally ended with a laugh and a cup of coffee. I spent the first twenty years trying to move away from him, I spent the next seventeen trying to understand him. Over those 37 years I came to really love him.

Another time about two years later, I came into my parents' house and announced that I was just about done with marriage. The truth is I wasn't getting my way as much as I thought I should and marriage was a lot tougher in real life than it looked on TV. My mom and dad listened for a few moments to my tirade and then my dad spoke. He said a lot, because like me he was verbose. I don't remember everything he said but I do remember the last few words - "You're an adult now, go to your home and work it out"!

Now most would think that I would have felt rejected, but as I pulled out of my parents' driveway I realized He was right. I was an adult; I could no longer run to him, he after all had initiated me into manhood. I drove home and did what I had learned from my dad. That day in tears I apologized to Kathy, I promised to watch my tone and treat her with the tenderness she deserved. Like Donald Hindes, I have become a man of my word.

I don't recommend this kind of initiation into manhood for every male. But I do recommend initiation. Boys need to battle their dad's for independence and dads need to let them win when the moment is right. Men, don't let our women do all the work here, our sons need us to declare them men and then begin to treat them as such.

Thanks Donald, I love you daddy....

Let Them Go!

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My wife, Kathy, and I have been married nearly 29 years. We have three sons ages 22-25, they are all in the middle of pursuing God's plan for their lives.

It often feels that their walk into destiny is actually a walk away from us. A recurring thought I've had as we raised our sons was that they were trying to move away from us. See when they crawled, they crawled away; when they walked, they walked away; when they ran, they ran away, we taught them to ride bikes, they peddled away, they got their licenses, they drove away. Now we see them in pursuit of independence and finding their voices. The problem we are having is they are fighting to get independence from us and their voices rarely sound like us. It's a painful job this calling to be a parent.

It's getting more painful all the time because the world is getting scarier and increasingly unsafe. On top of that we are the generation that has over indulged and over protected our children. We have cared more about their comfort than their character development. We have done everything we could to keep them from pain - every sharp corner covered, every outlet protected, "baby on board" signs in every minivan. We haven't wanted them to feel the pain of losing either, so now every sports participant gets a t-shirt and a trophy for just showing up. We call their bosses if they get harsh evaluations at work. I recently heard a professor interviewed and he said "parental intervention is getting out of control". He was further quoted as saying "that for the first time in 30 years he was having to regularly defend grades to parents of undergrad and grad students a like".

We must stop the madness of constant interference. These young people are actually God's plan to bring in the next great harvest. The work is going to be hard, painful, lonely, humbling, and even dangerous. We can't run behind our children any longer with pillows trying to soften the pain that God himself may be orchestrating.

Our young adults need an alternative to our interference. They need places that will offer initiation into adulthood. They need places to find their voices and independence. They need places to be exposed to real pain and have the Holy Spirit ask, "What will you do about it"? They need places with close community that will challenge the behaviors and attitudes that we have previously excused. In short, they need places to grow up and grow away from us.

The World Race is one of these places and it provides this kind of discipleship. It offers ministry in tough places internationally while bringing ministry to tough places internally.

Real discipleship should offer real ministry while providing a real invitation to real maturity.

The world needs our kids and we need to let them go!!!

Stuff Happens

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Several years ago when driving in the country with my family, I saw an old, beat up wooden wagon in a farmer's front yard. Now it wasn't the wagon that caught my attention it was the sign hanging from it. Presumably this wagon was once used to clean out the barn, and the sign simply said "stuff happens" (well it didn't really say stuff, but you get the point).

That statement got me thinking does stuff really happen, always happen, happen to me? Is it Gods' plan, God's will, His intention for stuff to happen to me? So I did some reflecting on my life and it didn't take very long until I realized that not only did stuff happen to me, but stuff actually hits the fan of my life on a regular basis.

Then I began to search the Bible to see if stuff was part God's plan for my life. To start with, my personal doctrinal position is God is a giver of good things; so to say He brings the stuff may not be completely accurate. But He is the master recycler, the original green gardener, that is, He uses all the stuff that happens in my life to enrich the soil my character must grow from.

In the following few verses I have injected the word stuff in order to amplify our understanding. You read through these amplified verses and see what conclusions you draw about the stuff of your life.

John 16:33 (New International Version)
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have stuff. But take heart! I have overcome the world (the producer of stuff)."
Romans 8:28 (New International Version)
We know that in all the stuff God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 5:3-5 (New International Version)
...We rejoice in the stuff, because we know that stuff produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us...
James 1:2-4 (New International Version)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face stuff of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith (by the stuff you face) develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Gotta run, more stuff later...

Dancing to Maturity

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest challenges to my Christian walk has been my own immaturity. Now when I define my spiritual immaturity, I'm talking about my impatience with people, developing situations, and even with my own growth trajectory. I can't believe that people and things take so long to develop. I can't believe God appears to be so slow in making things happen or in making us whole. It would seem to me He'd want to microwave the process, wouldn't He?

I remember being told this statement a long time ago "God isn't as interested in my comfort as He is my character development". Although I know that statement is true and pure, I have never liked it. See if I were in charge (just imagine that), I would fix me right away so that I could be more like Him. I would expedite my discipleship without any pain either. I mean if I were God why would I need process, time, and pain.

Well I'm not God (thankfully) and His word has constant reminders that He will take all the time necessary to get us to fullness. And He's not afraid of letting a little pain in just to make His point. Paul writes that "we rejoice in" our problems. The crazy thing is "rejoice" actually means to dance about or twirl around in. Paul must have lost his mind because he is asking me to celebrate my difficulties by dancing inside of them. Maybe he knows a secret, maybe, just maybe this is the only way to the patient maturity I so desperately seek...

Romans 5:3-5 (New Living Translation)
3 We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

From Those Who Have Gone Before

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A Word from the Director... Me.

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

World Race Promo Video

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

NEW October 2009 Race Route!

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

NEW! October 2009 World Race Route

Interested in joining the World Race? APPLY HERE!

Guatemala
A country aged with beauty and rich in history, Guatemala is the perfect place to initiate your World Race experience. Outside of its aesthetic appeal, it is a country in desperate need of God's touch. Gripped by poverty and bound to a spirit of religion, the people of Guatemala are hungering to see the kingdom of God invade their lives. World Racers radically change the atmospheres that they find themselves in. So the kingdom of God that Guatemalans are eager to see? You'll bring it to them in the form of relationships, hard work, and miracles.

Nicaragua
The nation of Nicaragua has unfortunately been dubbed one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Littered with hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty, you'll have the opportunity to ransack this place with God's love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, VBS, and more. Plus, Nicaraguans are just cool.

Nigeria or Cameroon
Who hasn't ever wanted to go to Africa? For the World Race, western Africa is an entirely new experience. Help us unearth God's kingdom and new ministries in this land ripe for revival, miracles, and growing churches. Are you thirsty for adventure? You're sure to get a dose of it this month.

Ghana
The country of Ghana is an old friend of Adventures in Missions (AIM) and we're beyond thrilled to go back by sending the World Race. Ghanaians are ready and willing to hear the word of God preached, to have their orphans and widows cared for, and for a miraculous move of God to bust out in their country. World Racers prepare yourselves - this month is going to be unforgettable!

Pioneer Africa
Twice during your World Race experience, your team will take a month to ATL (ask the Lord) for a new mission field. He may lead you someplace in the middle of a buzzing city or somewhere that can't even be found on a map. Either way, it's a time of listening to the Lord's voice and following him with true abandon.

Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way. Here you'll teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more. Check out the video to learn more about the gypsies.

Ukraine
The country of Ukraine is plagued with a dark history. Caught between its past oppression under the USSR communist regime and the desire to be accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many ups and downs. Thankfully, there's hope, light, and life spreading like wildfire throughout this nation in the message that the World Race is bringing it. Is it the kingdom of God coming in power? We think so.

Pioneer Eastern Europe
Reminisce on the memories of pioneering Western Africa... because you'll be doing the same thing in Eastern Europe. God's been waiting for a generation to go claim nations as its inheritance, to usher in his kingdom all over the world. This is your month to ask the Lord how to do that in Eastern Europe. Ready for some adventure? You'll get it this month.

Vietnam
One of the many exciting things about the World Race is that we take the Gospel to places that don't want us to. It's not that we're rebellious; it's just that we're eager to share the love of Jesus with as many people as possible. The Church in Vietnam is thriving, although underground. Gripped by communist rule for decades, Christians in Vietnam are eager to be grown and encouraged in the faith. So this month, you're going to risk a little and visit this country that has become a dear friend to many on the World Race.

Cambodia
Do you remember learning about the Holocaust in school? What about the Khmer Rouge? More than likely it's an unfamiliar name. Less than fifty years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides known to man where over one third of the country's population was slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia are thirsty for hope. With some of the worst slums in the world, affluent human trafficking problems, and a growing number of orphans, Cambodia is crying out for help. The World Race answers that call.

Thailand
Have you ever been to a bar loaded with prostitutes who don't want to be there? What about a small village in the countryside abandoned by the world? You'll find both experiences heralding you in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be stuck inside of prostitution in Thailand, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. We recognize this as a bad thing, so we've partnered with several ministries that reach out to those in the bondage of darkness. Change lives in the city and rock worlds in the countryside. Thailand's sure to capture your heart.

Want to know more about the World Race? CONTACT US!

Interested in going on the World Race? APPLY HERE!

*race route subject to change*

I'm Already Dead

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This blog was written by Marisa Banas, one of our World Racers from the October 2008 squad,

currently on the field in Ukraine.

Sitting in a restaurant with our coaches, Michael and Kathy Hindes, we were enjoying each other's company when Mike received a horrible phone call. An 18-year old girl in AIM's First Year Missionary program was in critical condition somewhere deep in South Africa. She had been in a car accident. Fortunately, the two other girls that were with her had already been released from the hospital with bumps and bruises. Mike ended his call, and we prayed at the table awaiting more information. Moments later he was called back. In those short few minutes, she passed away.

We had never met this precious girl, but our hearts were heavy with grief. Her situation was all too close for comfort, and what about her parents? What about her teammates? The thought of their grief broke our hearts. As we sat at the table discussing our feelings and questions Mike rabbit trailed to a story that happened us last year with the January 08 World Race team while they were also in South Africa.

Various racers were held at gunpoint in different areas of the hostel as several men demanded all of their belongings. In one of the areas, a female racer was forced to stand up as a man held a gun to her head as he yelled at her. "If you don't have a cell phone, I will kill you."

After a pause she looked at him and courageously said something to the effect of "I don't have one, so go ahead and kill me." With tears in his eyes, Mike said that when they flew in to counsel them this particular girl told them that she had a revelation at this critical moment. Her thought, I'm already dead.

Her statement would have confused the heck out of me a few years ago. What does she mean, "I'm already dead." But now I understand more than ever. To live a life like Christ, I have to be dead to myself. Practically, that means this...

In order to get into Ukrainian orphanages all foreigners need to go through an extensive and intense physical that is disturbing to most and horrifying to others. But beyond that physical is a 3-year old child who sits in a metal crib all day, with only one diaper for the day and no one to hold him.

It means that when someone's face is falling off of them because of leprosy, you throw your arms around them and look them straight in the eye. It means sitting on the floor and putting some elbow grease into an African woman's pedicure-despite the fact that you can see worms squirming under her skin.

There are two kinds of death for a Christian; the one that we live every day where we are forced to kiss the scars on our Father's hands in order to gain the courage to love. And the other is when we immediately pass from this life to an eternal one where we experience never-ending peace with God and the fullest amount of joy that is not allowed to be tainted with the troubles of life.
I will never understand death. For our own preferences, some die too young, while others suffer too long. This year in particular I have grieved the loss of many who have passed-some close enough to cut me deep. I don't get it. But this I do understand--Death for a Christian, whether they are living or dead, is a wonderful thing.

The Blood Song

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

School In Swaziland

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Legacy of Baby Moses

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This video is by one of our July 2008 World Racers who is currently in Africa. It's about how God is redeeming the life of a one-month-old baby boy who died unexpectedly. This is a story about death; and it's is a story about life.

AUGUST 2009 WORLD RACE ROUTE

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

August 2009 World Race Route

Interested in joining the World Race?APPLY HERE!

Accepting only the first 85 who apply!

Ireland

Ireland boasts a heritage of Christianity through Catholicism. Yet the lifeless display of faith reveals that this nation is farther from God than ever. Rampant alcoholism and suicide rates reveal a desperate need for hope. Through sports, children's outreach, and the relationships that just happen along the way, World Race hopes to reintroduce a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic culture.

Romania

The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people of Romania. Strangers in their home land, they are segregated, ostracized and forgotten. Yet, they are a strong, proud and colorful people who are beginning to embrace the light of Christ in a whole new way. Teaching English, leading sports camps, and planting churches are but a few of the tasks set before us as we enter this area of the world.

Egypt
Egypt is a country rich in historical significance. The Egyptian people are no less rich in their cultural goings-on today. A country shaped by the past and under religious bondage, the people of Egypt are hungry to hear of the freedom brought through Christ. While pyramids and palaces give the land a romanticized veneer, under the surface lie hearts in need of relationship and hope.

Jordan and Israel
The Holy Land attracts Jews, Arabs and Christians alike to be a part of a location so rich in our combined religious roots. Serve the people of Israel while walking the paths trod by Christ. Serve in this new World Race location while walking the paths that Christ Jesus once did.

Kenya

The Masai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, the Kiberra slums...comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the Gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, we hope to leave lasting fruit and lasting ministries to carry on beyond us.Watch more...

Uganda

From the Ugandan islands to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the African people of these nations share a common bond. Through the wild lands, home to Africa's "Big Five" animals coexist people, reached and unreached with the Gospel of Christ. Through evangelism, church planting and discipleship, we will be a part of a movement to further the kingdom of God in this precious region of the world. Read more...

Pioneer Africa

During your World Race, your team will take a month to "Ask the Lord" for a new mission field. He may lead you to a location developing, growing and booming or He may lead you to a land untouched by the World Race or even Christianity as a whole. It will be a time to listen to the voice of the Lord and, with true abandon, follow Him into the wild blue yonder.

Vietnam
Leaving the Caribbean, the team will cross the Pacific and land in a whole new world. The country of Vietnam has been under communist rule for decades and the oppression has taken its toll through seasons of warfare and rebuilding. The government is adamantly against religious freedom and as the country suffers in Buddhist bondage, the light of the Christian remnant shines as a candle in the darkness.Read more...

Cambodia
Fifty years ago, Cambodia saw one of the most devastating genocides in history. The Khmer Rouge slaughtered nearly two million people - 1/3 of the country's population at the time. In 24 hours cities were emptied, left to be ghost towns. The nation has been in constant upheaval until recently. The strength and resiliency of the Cambodian people is inspiring. Be a part of holding orphans, born into a new era; meeting felt needs in some of the worst slums in the world; and church planting with an adolescent generation on the verge of religious revolution.Read more...

Thailand

Even though the official law states that prostitution is illegal, it is estimated that nearly 2 million women and men engage in this practice daily thus creating the lucrative sex industry of Southeast Asia. In addition to reaching out to the rural communities of Thailand, we go to the streets, into the darkest of spiritual environments to share what is most needed: hope. By helping women learn practical vocational skills and providing an alternative form of income, the face of Thailand's premiere sex industry is being changed one life at a time.Watch more...

Want to know more about the World Race?CONTACT US!
Interested in going on the World Race?APPLY HERE!

My Reading List

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For those of you that know me, you know that I have a great passion for reading. It's a passion that began in my mid twenties; it started as a discipline/habit to help me overcome my minor dyslexia. I normally read between 50-75 books/year; this of course is an average - often times it's many more and just as often many less.

Lately, I've had several people ask me about the top books I have read over the last year. So here is a list of those "memorable" books from the last 15 months. Some of the books are re-reads (a habit I've started over the last 5 years). I don't agree with everything in these books, but I found things in each that have stretched my thinking and self-evaluation.

Read through my list and give me some feed back. I don't necessarily want to know if you think my list makes me conservative vs liberal, evangelical vs emergent, or even right vs wrong. I just want to know if you have read any of the books listed and what you thought. Also, share your list with me - I'm always looking for thought provoking material.

Here it is in no particular order:

Developing the Leader Within - John Maxwell
Leadership and Self Deception - Arbinger Institute
Adam's Return - Richard Rohr
A Generous Orthodoxy - Brian McLaren
Get a Grip on Physics - John Gribbin
Spiritual Slavery to Sonship - Jack Frost
No Perfect People Allowed - John Burke
Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne
A Briefer History of Time - Stephen Hawking
A Short History of Everything - Bill Bryson
Infidel - Ayaan Hisi Ali
Tides of War - Steven Pressfield
Gates of Fire - Steven Pressfield
Same Kind of Different as Me - Ron Hall
Team of Rivals - Doris Goodwin
Strengths Finder - Tom Rath
Three Cups of Tea - David Relin
The Shack - William Young
The Starfish and the Spider - Ori Brafman
Organic Disciplemaking - Dennis McCallum
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

Currently reading:

Not for Sale - David Batsone
While Europe Slept - Bruce Bawer
Einstein - Walter Isaacson

Walls can't talk, but students can

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Restaveks, Child Slaves of Haiti

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Raise It Up

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As God's people, we are to be ministers of reconciliation to a sick, twisted, hopeless and tormented world. Just as a medic administers treatment and medicine to a trauma patient, so we are to administer hope, resources, and life to people who have embraced physical and spiritual death.

Please take 5 minutes to watch this video made by a July '08 Racer who is currently in Swaziland, Africa.

The epidemic is horrific. If there is to be any change, it is not going to come from the world. It's going to come from the church. Only the Kingdom of God can bring utter restoration to devastation.

A Game of Hope

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Kingdom of God shows up everywhere.

Right this second, we have 150 World Racers out in countries all around the world who are bringing Kingdom to the remote villages of Africa... to the bars in Thailand... to the mountains of South America...

And we have Kingdom people working (sometimes undercover) every day in America, looking for opportunities in the classroom, in the home, the gym, and even on the football field to extend the love of the God who is passionate about second chances, bringing dead things to life, and hope where it seems it's faded.

This story shows that the embrace of inclusion is a deep well in the desert of hopelessness for those who find themselves labeled and excluded in the margins.

"God issues a call to choose between generativity and stagnation, between continuing to have an impact,

or sitting around waiting to die." -Brennan Manning

CCC's Free Food Give Away

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

25,000 lbs of food...

70 volunteers...

in 2 hours...

Over 330 families in the Port Huron, Michigan area were served

in Cross Current Church's Free Food Give Away.

Initiation Into Discipleship: Part 3

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Initiation Into Discipleship: Part 2

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Initiation Into Discipleship: Part 1

Fri, 6 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Video Blog 5: Seth Hands Over The World Race

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Video Blog 4: My Second Year of The World Race

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT