We’ve been out of town for a couple of weeks, but now we’re back. Two weeks ago I took some of our lead team members to the Mosaic Origins Conference. We had a great time, and we were deeply challenged. Our main purpose for going to the conference was to learn how they live out their missional vision. This is the second time Amy and I have attended Origins. There are so many things I love about Mosaic’s ministry — the deep passion for God, a genuine love for people, and the incredible creativity and freedom. I’ve been to a number of church ministry conferences over the years and what strikes me about Origins is how I feel at ease in the setting, the relevant conversations, the lack of egos, and the way I’m so deeply challenged to live out my faith.
All of their artistic talent is “home grown” and done within a real world budget. I wish we had learned some of their skills for creating banners two months ago. We recently created a set for Meta that cost 25x as much. When I found out about the price difference, I felt sick.
Team Members (L to R): Victor, Caleb (Mr. Chuckles), Michelle, Greg, Me, Selina, Palm, Grace, and Amy.
We missed most of you who are in LA. We were focused on team building and learning from the conference. Special thanks to Kenny, Alicia, and Naomi for helping us set up child care. Here’s little Naomi kickin’ it in her stroller. Clarice, Ian, and Jackson, it was good to see you, if only for just a few minutes after the worship service. The last pic is of our Chrysler 300, a fun rental for $26/day.
We also went to MacArthur Park (this link gives a short history of the park) in L.A. for a Sunday service with our missionary friend Terry Hwang. Terry serves with World Impact and is helping to plant a church among the peoples of the park. I love his passion — serving hurting people, training leaders, fighting poverty, making Jesus known. He considers this area “home.”
The pastor that Terry works with has an incredible story. Years ago he left his family and sold drugs in the park. He eventually came to follow Jesus Christ. He reunited with his family, and he heard God calling him to go back to the park to share the gospel. It was the last place he wanted to go since he owed people money. He was persecuted for a time but eventually things worked out (he didn’t explain.) Now he holds worship services in the park every Sunday. Some of the church members we met have similar stories. Some of them are still homeless but through Christ they are learning to experience freedom from their addictions. Almost all of the guys who are in this ministry are training to be pastors and leaders, some having only come to faith for a couple of years.
Here are few of the guys we met. They are all enrolled in theological studies through World Impact and are preparing for church leadership here and for ministry abroad. The second pic is of Terry helping out with song leading. The sound equipment didn’t make it to the park that particular Sunday. The pastor is on the far right and on the left is his son, who is actively working with his father in ministry.
Overall, the L.A. trip was a great experience for the whole team. We learned a lot and we have lots to process in the days to come.
[edit: I just viewed the blog from a different browser and it looked lame. If you’re viewing this entry and the first two pictures aren’t lined up side by side, then decrease the text size in your browser until the pictures fit neatly together.]
