Building Bridges

Bridges are fascinating structures.  They come in all sizes and shapes. There is a five-foot bridge made of 2X4s across the drainage ditch in my back yard. In Africa, we crossed many bridges made of tree trunks and rotting boards, sometimes by foot, and sometimes – gulp – by car.  I’ve crossed the Mackinac and Golden Gate bridges at one time or another; both are stunning feats of engineering.  I’ve read about the amazing 14-year construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, which still does its job with style nearly 140 years after completion.  

Yet all bridges do the same, relatively simple thing: they provide a safe, straight path over otherwise unpassable terrain.

Christians are  - or should be – bridge builders. My pastor reminded me recently that we are called to build bridges of grace and mercy that will support the weight of truth.  We often wonder why so many people around us ignore the gospel.  Perhaps it’s because we are focused on our words, while they are looking for grace and mercy.  When we show grace and mercy in tangible ways, the truth we speak is so much more acceptable.

That’s why wholistic ministry is so important, and why ECM works hard to build bridges of grace and mercy.  We believe that love shown in practical ways will support the weight of the gospel, leading many to believe.  Jesus brought good news for today, for tomorrow, and ultimately for eternity.  Every act of love, like every word of truth, moves people one step closer to accepting Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

Thank you, ECM staff, for all you do to build bridges of grace and mercy that support the weight of truth. What you do is making a world of difference in a world that needs so badly to experience some good news!

The Power of Appreciation

I was sitting in the Brussels airport on Valentine's Day morning.  I was exhausted after a grueling two week trip in Africa, and an overnight flight in economy.  There were no gluten free options for breakfast anywhere, and my only comfort was a cup of Starbucks Mocha coffee (at least they had a dairy free option)😃.  The last two weeks had been among the most grueling of any of my trips, between COVID tests, intense heat, and stressful situations to deal with.  I had another long flight to look forward to, then a layover and another flight.  I was ready to be home.  And I wondered if what I do makes much of a difference, and is worth the effort.  

And then I opened my email.  A staff member had decided to take the time to write a brief but thoughtful email letting me know that I was appreciated.  Tears came to my eyes as I contemplated what I was reading. Maybe it was the exhaustion that brought the tears, but more likely, there was enough power in those simple words to make a grown man cry .  I certainly didn't deserve such compliments, but that morning they did a lot to remind me of the importance of what we do at ECM.  In the grand scheme of things, what we do seems rather small and insignificant, but who says God doesn't do some of his best work outside of the spotlight?  The smiles of the kids and the appreciation of the staff remind me that whatever we can do to help, despite our limitations and failings, is worth all the effort.

Take some time today to show your appreciation for what others do to make the world a better place.  Look for something small and put it in the spotlight.  As Christians, we shouldn't do much to highlight our own accomplishments, but that should never stop us from genuinely appreciating what others are doing to spread a little love in a hurting world. 

Even in the Worst of Years

As we reach the end of 2020, it would be really easy to look back on the year, throw up our hands and say "good riddance!"  But I've got another idea.

Let's raise up our hands and shout "Thank you Lord!" instead.

I'm not much into complaining about how bad things are, or all the problems I've had to deal with.  I'd rather solve problems then cry about them.  Now, I'm not saying that 2020 hasn't been a very trying, difficult year.  It's been incredibly frustrating at almost every turn.  But I don't think we do ourselves much good by worrying or complaining about it.  The old "attitude of gratitude" mentality works much better, I think.

So let's be thankful about all that was accomplished through this ministry in 2020, instead of complaining about the tasks left unaccomplished because of the pandemic.

Let's thank God for the things we were able to focus on that we wouldn't have been able to focus on if we were doing "normal" ministry.

As we finish 2020, let's remember all that God has done, and give him thanks for all of it.  As we head into 2021, let's do so with excitement and enthusiasm because we know that even in the worst of years, God still does GREAT things!

It's Good Friday. So What?

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV)

The calendar says it's Good Friday, and that Easter is just two days away.  But all I hear on the news is COVID-19 this, coronavirus that.  Wear a mask, don't wear a mask; don't shake hands with anyone; and by all means, stay six feet away from everyone.  And please, please stay inside (unless what you've got to do is really, really important, like buying mulch for landscaping your yard, or running to the store to get that chocolate bar you've been craving, or getting take-out for dinner from your favorite restaurant).  Yet we are supposed to remember that today is Good Friday, the day Jesus died.

Well, it is true that we have been hearing a lot about death lately.  Mortality rates, death counts in every country under the sun, and fear that only comes when people begin to consider the possibility that they might be next.  We are certainly afraid of death.

So the question comes to my mind: why did Jesus actually have to die?  I certainly know people who are uncomfortable with the idea.  Frankly, I am uncomfortable with the idea. I also know people who outright reject the notion that God requiring Jesus to die for us is like, the best plan?  Really? Surely God could have come up with a better idea.  Couldn't he have just said, "OK, it's all good.  No, really, I've got this taken care of.  You're all in!"  It sounds good, and there are many days I wish it were true, especially when I spend time with really nice people who won't accept the message of forgiveness and salvation through Christ.  But the problem is, it just doesn't match with what the Bible says about God.  He is loving, yes, but he is also just.  He is holy and righteous and cannot just ignore sin.  So, as much as I would like that to be different, I can't change who God is, at least not without changing what Scripture says about Him.   

I'm no theologian, but it's pretty clear to me what the Bible is saying.  By ourselves, we just don't make the grade. (You can read for yourself in passages like: Leviticus 11:44-45, Isaiah 6:3-5, Leviticus 17:11, and Romans 3:23-26.)  But what is also clear to me is that God loves me and has made a way (see Romans 5:8) for me to be saved.  It's not really my place to question his methods, as much as I might wish for other options.

So today is Good Friday.  Jesus had to die because God required it, based on who He is.  But the key here is that God did make a way for us.  It's there for the taking.  In the midst of COVID-19, when fear is the emotion of the day, we can find peace because someone else died for us.  So when we die (and we will die, if Christ doesn't return first), we have nothing to fear. Because of Christ, this is a very, very good day, indeed.

Encouragement in the midst of COVID-19.

I want to share some words of encouragement with each of you as you tackle one of the biggest issues you have likely faced in ministry.  Right now, I am sure that the focus of many, including ECM staff, is on what can't be done right now.  We can't hold Saturday clubs, we can't visit homes, we can't visit schools, we can't hold meetings or trainings....  We can't, we can't, we can't....  I get it. I feel the same way too right now.  

So I want to encourage you simply to ask yourself, "What can we do right now? What can we do that we didn't have time to do before?  What can we do to move forward the mission and vision of ECM, even in the midst of difficulty?"  

If you can continue to find ways to bring hope during this time, then you have succeeded.  I challenge you to find ways to bring hope, even if the methods may look different than before.  Even if you have to think outside the box.  

There is a lot we can do.  So, let's do it!

Lord, We Want Our Sight

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

Matthew 20:29-33

What comes next in this story is critical for followers of Christ.  Let me start by telling you what does not come next:

Jesus looked at the men with great indignation and told them, "Oh foolish men! Why are you so short-sighted? I have come to bring you hope for eternity, so cast your vision for what is to come, not on what you may see today!"

And the men rejoiced as they continued in their blindness, knowing that someday they too would see.

Could Jesus have said that?  Yes, he had the right to say it, and there are certainly places in Scripture where he points people away from today and toward eternity. But his response in this situation (and in many situations in Scripture) was very different.  Instead of ignoring the men or downplaying their need, Matthew tells us that Jesus

"...had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."

Jesus cared about those with physical needs and almost always did something about it.  He didn't preach to the men, he just healed them.  But don't miss what came next: they followed him.  That's what often happens when we consistently do good things for others in the name of Jesus.  They follow him.  And isn't that the ultimate goal?

When God Says No

"...having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word."

Acts 16:6

Why would God keep anyone from doing something good? From doing even what he has commanded us to do?   From doing something as important as sharing the good news in a hurting world?  Let's be honest, that doesn't seem to make much sense.

I suppose the easy answer is, "God's ways are mysterious, and we cannot understand them." I'll be the first to say I can't argue with that.  But there is, of course, a better explanation.  God has a plan much bigger than our "moment in time."  While something might seem good, it may not be best.  It may not even be close.  With our limited sight, however, we don't see what is around the corner, or what may come tomorrow. 

There are three things we can take from this truth, as leaders and decision makers:

• Right thing, wrong time.  Timing is critical for the effective leader.  Pushing forward with the "right thing" when the timing is wrong will lead to disasterous results.  Be patient, seek God's leading, and be willing to wait for something better than you could have imagined.
• Doing that "right thing" may not actually be worth the effort, time, and funds.  Some things might be right and good, but not part of your organization's overall plan and vision.  "Stay in your lane" at all times. Easier said than done, but vitally important in the long run.
• God may very well have something even better than you could imagine.  If he is telling you not to do something that may to most seem good and right, you would be wise to listen.

In Acts 16, God wanted the team to avoid preaching in one area because of a greater need elsewhere (v.9).  They responded to the need unhesitantly.  The rest, as they say, is history.  What will your history look like?

Your God

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

Isaiah 41:10

Here we go again.  It's January, the time when our thoughts naturally flow toward the future.  What will the new year bring? Will it be better or worse than the last?   Will we experience an unimaginable calamity, or an unforgettable blessing? Or will it just be another average year without major highs or lows? Will I be the person God wants me to be - has created me to be - or will my year be marked by underachievement?

In all honesty, the last question might be the most significant. There is almost nothing we can do to control what happens this year, but there is much we can control about our response.  Too often I repsond out of fear, primarily the fear of failure.  Fear that I will not live up to my end of the bargain.  Fear that I will lead this organization down the wrong path, or that my decisions will cause pain for others.

As we begin this new year, my focus is not on what may or may not happen, but how I will respond. My prayer is that I will experience the peace of God, which is the opposite of fear; that I will trust fully in him through whatever may come; that I will truly believe that he is with me, and that he is my God.  

My prayer for you is the same.  May the God who is ever with you - your God - pour his blessings on you and your ministry this year!

What Really Matters

“The Lord’s blessing is our greatest strength.”  Proverbs 10:22 TLB 

Recently I gathered with my wife and children, seven siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts, current and long-lost friends, and even a few strangers to celebrate the life of our family's patriarch, my dad.  Even at the age of 89, after living a full and productive life, his death still somehow felt untimely.  I was ready, and at the same time, completely unready for him to leave us.  I understand that as a follower of Jesus, he is far better off now than at any time on this earth. But I miss my visits and phone calls with him, his warm smile, and gentleness.  Even as I write, I fight back the tears. 

His loss has made me consider more urgently what really matters in life.  My dad never put monetary gain or selfish ambition above family, and certainly not above matters of God’s Kingdom. How many of us can say the same?  He knew that what really matters in this life is not acclaim or wealth or power, but the Lord’s blessing on a life lived for Him.  Dad did not leave his numerous descendants a large monetary inheritance.  What he left was of far greater importance – the impact of a life lived in service to his King, an example of what it really means to follow Jesus. 

From his meager resources, he continued to support this ministry (and many others) until his death. Perhaps he felt a certain obligation to support ECM, but I like to think that ultimately, he simply felt an overwhelming desire to be a part of growing God’s Kingdom, and partnership with ECM was a good way to ensure that God’s love was shown to the vulnerable and outcast in this world.  For that, he received God’s blessing and was welcomed into heaven by the words we all long to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” 

Without a doubt, this is what really matters. 

The Other 5%

It's been said that 95% of what you do today will be good and right.  Congratulations.

Now, what can you do to fix the other 5%?

That may seem a little harsh to some of you.  After all, anyone who is getting it right 95% of the time is beyond successful!  But this statement is not about achievement, it is about improvement and growth.  A person who not only wants to succeed but also wants to be their very best can never rest on prior accomplishments.  There is always another mountain to climb or sea to cross.

We are called to grow in our faith, and while our works don't save us, we understand that what we accomplish in our works subtly corresponds in some way to the level of our faith.  The greater the faith, the more we should be able to accomplish through it.  As we grow in our faith, our faith should be more and more evident through our works.

And so we strive to accomplish more, to get better at what we do, to improve, not for the sake of our own glory or fame, but because our growing faith demands it.

When things are going well and 95% of the time you do the right thing, you will be tempted to congratulate yourself and take a break.  As a leader of others and a follower of Christ, don't give in to that temptation.  Instead, think about what you can do better, not out of pride or a desire to impress others, but out of a burning desire to use your talents to the fullest for his glory and the growth of His Kingdom.

Somehow It Will All Work Out

"I am not sure what to do, God, but here I go.  Please make it all work out right."

Richard Kriegbaum in Leadership Prayers

Just move.  More than once I've heard God telling me that I could no longer stay put, no longer consider my options, no longer put off the inevitable.  I would have to act.  Perhaps it was true that I had not collected all the information I wanted or felt I needed.  Perhaps I wasn't at all sure what the right or best decision was.  But still I had to act.  I had to actually do something.

Leaders often do not have the luxury of waiting it out, hoping something good happens.  They have to move forward, all the while asking God to "please make it all work out right."  This is not a cop out.  Instead, it is an admittance that we are not in control of the outcome.  Neither is it laziness, (assuming we have done due diligence to the matter with our time and all other resources God has provided).  It is a sign of humble confidence.

Move ahead. Press on.  ACT.  Somehow it will all work out.   Not because everything will go according to our plan or wishes, but because it will always go according to His plan.  And that is the only plan that a Christian leader should ultimately be concerned about. 

Gaining from Loss

"...whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things."

Philippians 3:7-8

Loss is always hard.

We are always trying to improve, to reach higher goals, to move forward.  We are wired to gain, not suffer loss.   When we lose, we hurt.

Yet loss comes.  We lose jobs and money.  We lose friends, co-workers, and relationships.  We lose parents and even children.  We lose our memories and sometimes our minds.  We watch others lose their lives, all the while knowing that we too will lose ours.

In any organization, loss occurs.  We have experienced loss of jobs, loss of money, loss of friendships, and even loss of life.  Our organization will invariably change as we move ahead, leading to the loss of the comfort that comes from "doing things the way we have always done them." Simply changing the way we do something means we have lost the way we used to do it.

John Maxwell teaches that while we all fail, the trick is to fail forward.  Perhaps the same is true in our loses.  Can we somehow gain even when we lose? Can we learn from our loses?  When we gain and learn, even in our losses, we grow.  ECM is committed to growth, to moving forward even in difficult times, to taking the  risks that are necessary to fulfill our mission.  In doing so, we will invariably suffer loss.

Ultimately, both our worldly gains and our losses mean nothing when compared with the joy of knowing Jesus Christ.  May every gain and every loss spur us on toward a greater knowledge of Him and toward our goal of bringing hope to the most vulnerable in our societies.

Children: Precious Treasure from God

Our post today is written by Edward Owusu Sekyere, National Director of ECM-Ghana.

In Eph. 6:1-6 we find a clear description for Christian children and their Home. For them to have a blessed, fruitful and promising life on earth they need to abide by the Word of life in GOD, so that the end will glorify GOD.

Ps.116:15. Precious in the sight of God is the death of his saints. Paul said the HOLY SPIRIT bears witness with our spiritual that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15). As children of God we have to walk and behave as such. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What gift or talent have we received, and from whom did we receive it? ln Eccles. 10:9 it states, "Rejoice o young man in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of their heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into JUDGMENT. "

1Cor.15:57-58 says "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord JESUS CHRIST. Therefore , my beloved brethren (father, mother, sister and brother) be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. For as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

We all need to preserve this precious and great gift of the Lord. Two precious gems from HAVEN OF HOPE came to the limelight this past May during Mother's Day when they won for themselves a certificate of recognition- recognition of their humility, hardwork , teamspirit , willingness to help to colleagues, friends and staff , and fantastic attitudes by Mothering the Nation Foundation. They are Miriam Manu and Godsway Asinyo from of Haven Of Hope.  Congratulations to both of them!

Compassionate in our Evangelism - Core Value #6

In this post we will dig further into ECM's core values. Your team has been evaluating ECM's core values with the goal of developing specific steps that will guide you in fulfilling the mission and vision of ECM. We have now reached our sixth and last core value to evaluate.  Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. I ask you only to honestly, together with your co-workers, discuss what each value looks like with "flesh" on it.  How can we put each value into practice on a regular basis?  I look forward to your comments as together we grow as a staff.  Here is Core Value #6:

We will be Compassionate in our Evangelism: We will build and maintain a safe environment where children are loved, served, and valued, and can grow, ask questions, and hear the Good News of Jesus.

How can we, as ECM staff, be intentional about being compassionate in our evangelism?  Share your responses/ideas in the comments section on this blog, and discuss with your co-workers!

Winning the Battle

Our post today is written by Edward Owusu Sekyere, National Director of ECM-Ghana.

Joshua 5:9 and 1 Kings 18: 41-45

We need to break the yoke of Jezebel or Satan. We do not know what is in store for us this year but in the Name of Jesus Christ we shall overcome. Our Jesus went through trials and he overcame and won victory for us. Seven times the prophet Elijah sent his servant to go and look out for rain. One of the greatest enemies of our generation is the delay of time, which often drains our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is one of the greatest challenges of the Christian faith. This is one reason a woman of God said, "The Lord has removed my reproach."  We must continue to stand firm with our faith in the Lord. We have to allow the  spirit of God to lead. To sometimes let the finger of God appear to us to let our faith believe that there is abundance of rain.

The sign alone is a faith of abundance of rain. God Almighty will do it in his way, might and power and not by anyone's way (Isaiah 40). May God give us the enablement to achieve what we are not able to do. 

We need to be very very careful because we fight against powers of darkness and principalities. The Bible says He who thinks he is standing be careful less he falls (1 Kings 19:3).  God did a lot in the life of Elijah, but when it came to the battle of words, Elijah went into hiding. Fear not, that's what the Lord Jesus told us. We should not fear for the remaining months ahead of us in the year 2019 (Isaiah 54 :17).  We need to stand on the promises of God (Hebrews 13:5).  It is the power of God that will do it. It is the power of God that will win the battle for us.

Having the Courage to take Risks - Core Value #5

In this post we will dig further into ECM's core values. Your team has been evaluating ECM's core values with the goal of developing specific steps that will guide you in fulfilling the mission and vision of ECM. You will continue to do this as you evaluate the next value.  There are no right or wrong answers. I ask you only to honestly, together with your co-workers, discuss what each value looks like with "flesh" on it.  How can we put each value into practice on a regular basis?  I look forward to your comments as together we grow as a staff.  Here is Core Value #5:

We will have the Courage to take Risks: We will promote a culture of learning, dreaming, developing, and changing.

How can we, as ECM staff, be intentional about having the courage to take risks?  Share your responses/ideas in the comments section on this blog, and discuss with your co-workers!

Confidence

"Do not be afraid or discouraged..., for the battle is not yours, but God's."

2 Chronicles 20:15

Recently, the US office experienced significant upheaval, losing both our finance manager and our child sponsorship coordinator within the span of a few weeks.  Our Ghana office has experienced similar changes in recent months, and our Uganda office is no stranger to staff disruption. (Only our DRC staff has remained fully in tact over the years, for which we are grateful!)

The question is not, "Will change occur?" but "How will we respond when unexpected and unwanted changes come our way?"  Our answer to this question is vitally important to our ministry as we move forward with our God-given mandate to bring hope, help, and dignity to vulnerable children.  We must remember two things first and foremost as we grapple with change:

1. ECM belongs to God, and not to any of us, either individually or collectively.  God has made it clear that the battle is not ours, but his (2 Chronicles 20:15).  We forget this truth far too often, more than we would like and far more than we care to admit.  Each office, each project, each outreach effort, each goal, and most significantly, each accomplishment, belongs to him.  The battle is indeed his. When we face unexpected or even expected hardship, DO NOT FORGET that God is the owner, and we are simply the caretakers.  This is HIS ministry. Can you honestly reflect on any point during the long history of ECM that he did not provide?  Don't fear - he's got this!

1. Second -and this is SO IMPORTANT to remember- God has equipped us for this work, and he strengthens us to handle the tasks and the difficulties that come our way.  Are you willing to put forth the extra effort to get the job done? To go the extra mile? To put in the extra time? To pray consistently and diligently for God's provision?  ECM staff, God has uniquely equipped you for this task.  Trust him!  Move forward with confidence!  I fully believe that we have been specifically chosen "for such a time as this," that each of us is exactly where God wants us do be, and that he will continue to use us to bring the hope of Jesus to those thirsty for life.

What a privilege it is to be a part of God's family, and to serve in such an incredible ministry!  Go forward with CONFIDENCE, despite any obstacles you may face, for God is on our side!

Helping the Hungry

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many

kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

A few nights ago, while waiting to pick up my daughter from a late night school event, I watched a movie called The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.  Set in Malawi in the early 2000's, the movie chronicles the hardships a family experienced during a time of famine.

I couldn't help but think of how most Americans would never be able to understand the depth of the hunger pangs felt by families in the movie.  The kind of pain that causes a person to steal and destroy.  The kind of suffering that that makes a person forget all they ever learned from parents, church, and community about how to treat others.  The aching that brings out our animal nature.

Real hunger is something most Americans never experience.  When their stomachs grumble a little bit, they say, "I'm starving! I really need something to eat NOW!"  Honestly, we have no idea what hunger really is, and we've never been close to starving.

Many of my African brothers and sisters, on the other hand, understand all too well.  They have felt it. They have lived it.  It is, for them as much a part of living as the air we breathe.

All Christians are called to help those in need, and not understanding a person's trial is no excuse for ignoring it.  It is not something we are asked to do, it is something we are required to do.  You see, those going through a trial are called to endure it with joy, and those who see others going through a trial are called to walk with them, helping them to survive and thrive.  It is a beautiful plan laid out by a compassionate, ever present God, to help us overcome the trials of this life (Psalm 46:1).

There are rarely easy answers to the trials we face.  The problem of hunger won't end tomorrow or next month or next year.  Instead, the question becomes, "How do we walk with those who hunger, even when we cannot truly understand what they are going through?"  My desire is to see our ECM staff reach out with empathy and compassion, as we have been commanded, and also with creativity to help people out of poverty and hunger, and toward a happier, more fulfilled life.