“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
1 John 3:16-18
I shared how God was shaping my heart – how far would I go to help brothers and sisters in need. God was redefining what a brother or sister is. Something I believe God is challenging this entire church family with.
So how do we love with action and in truth?
Throughout our trip in Turkiye, I knew that the main assignment would be to speak on the last day at the church’s Sunday Celebration. My goal was to listen carefully to what was going on around us and sense the Lord on what to share on that closing day. And honestly… it was very difficult. In my mind, I was wrongfully thinking that we had to bring something to them that would help them – that we could bring something fresh that would change their minds, lives and hopefully circumstance… how wrong I was.
As I began to hear the testimonies of the people around us, as I saw the struggles, challenges, and yet moments of great faith and strength, I realized that maybe… just maybe… they don’t just need us, we need them. Then the Lord spoke something into my spirit, “Do not be a conference speaker, be a Lifespring speaker”.
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
I realized that the Sunday celebration message was not about a deep revelation, it was simply sharing of who Lifespring is:
I shared that our church was full of sinners saved by grace. I shared that this church was built on immigration (legal refugees), I shared that Ryan and I are products of bravery – of people who risked everything – leaving their homes – in hopes of a better future, I shared my testimony of how even in great circumstances we can run from God, I shared about our miscarriage (baby Praise), and I shared that what carried Lifespring church and our lives through all the challenges were people who genuinely loved God, genuinely cared for others, and prayed for us.
We closed the Sunday Celebration saying that we wanted to pray for whomever wanted to be prayed for – not because our prayers are greater, not because we have a magic formula – but simply to show and stand with you that there are strangers (one day brothers and sisters) across the world who are thinking and praying for you.
And the Holy Spirit fell. The ministry response was massive. The prayers were heartfelt. I prayed for about 20-25 people and 75% burst out in tears. I don’t think any of them spoke English – but holding their hands and simply praying connected us. We wept together and we sought the Lord together. It really built something in the Spirit that connected Lifespring and Lighthouse. That morning Ryan said he bought extra tissue paper because he had a feeling… I laughed at him, but after praying for the 2nd person and being out of tissue – man I wish I took Ryan’s tissue paper.
We were simply Lifespring – some may call it humility, some call it – we actually have no idea how to help – but the truth is we are not specialist (I am not, Ryan is not, Jerry is definitely not) – we are a Kingdom Family that simply wants to help a brother or sister in need.
Lifespring is not a building, Lifespring is the people of God – you and I. The enemy will tell us we are inadequate because we fight with our spouse, we yell at our kids, we swear when no one is looking, we have hateful thoughts… but honestly, Lifespring is full of sinners saved by grace. We all have something to give.
Mae-Tuin & Josh Lee have already come up to me and asked how can we help – thank you. That is so encouraging. There are big things on the horizon that will demand our time, talent, and treasure. If you feel the Lord tugging on your heart today to help in this specific ministry – would you come talk to me? This is not the only ministry – but the right people, in the right place – God will make a way.