He Gets the Job Done

Ken, getting down to business

We make a good team. Ken and I started serving together when we were 30 something... the TV show "30 Something" was still on the air. Our kids were young and the work at Central Community was just getting started. We worked hard through our 40's - the entire decade -now, entering the middle years of our 50's, Ken's got a birthday coming up... but I'll still be older... we're still pushing. Our work in Kenya barely began until we were 50. Our kid's aren't "kids" anymore- they're all grown up. Ken and his wife Trish, (who's got a birthday also), are grandparents. Not many pastor's... not many people... are blessed as richly in their careers as we've been. God's been too good to us- we still enjoy working together and I think Ken would agree, we make a good team.

A leader in his own right- I've never... and I mean never -seen Ken get bent out of shape because he didn't get the attention he deserved, the raise or the pat on the back... and Ken's deserved more attention, raises and pats on the back then he's received. He's not only preached when I've planned to be away- but stepped up when I've not been able to preach: whether it was the Palm Sunday I'd spent a week in the hospital or the Sunday after mom died... and everything in between... Ken's always stepped up to the plate. He's counseled, married, buried, visited more people than I could count, writing his ministry across countless lives in our work together. He's been there for my family in our times of crises... and we've had them... and when the big and little decisions of our work together have been made it's almost always been after a closed door meeting with Ken- seeking his advice and perspective. He tells "the truth in love" and after so many years has learned to anticipate our steps as well as spur us on to greater work.

He gets the job done.

Together... I don't think God wants us to build His church any other way. I'm thankful I've had the opportunity to share so much of our lives and ministry together with Ken and his family. If you've never taken the time to get to know Ken- you should -you won't be disappointed, I promise. Don't know what the next 16 years has in store- but I'm sure thankful for the last 16 working side by side with Ken.

Great leaders build great leaders. The group of people Ken's worked with in Mexico alone... building 17 homes, 14,000 sq ft in and around Siempre and the church at Siempre, rebuilding a burned out church while ministering to the pastor who'd lost his family- horribly burned to death in the church... hundreds have sweat and labored by his side- in total humility asking for nothing more than the opportunity to serve... just like Ken.

I'm not preaching this weekend- Ken is -you'll grow by sitting right up front and listening in, giving your whole heart. Ken knows what he's talking about. He's lived it. More importantly, He knows Jesus. I'm just proud to know him.

Have a great month Ken. Happy Birthday Trish and Ken! Thanks for everything.

blessings,

Eric


Pastor Ken... looking up on life

A Firm Foundation

He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Jesus Luke 6:48

We built a house once that was hit by a flood. I drive by the house and the foundation weekly... they're about a mile a part. The house sat in a newly developed ravine where the poor of Tijuana were buying lots from the Mexican government. Central Community spent $15,000- in materials and a weekend in labor building a beautiful home to shelter a family. Several years later the 100 year rains hit- washed down the ravine - filled the house with mud in the middle of the night. The family escaped in the darkness, moving with the mud flow out the highest window. They spent weeks cleaning out the mud and eventually a truck came and lifted their home and planted it on higher ground.

The foundation, built firmly on the rock, still remains.

For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Jesus Luke 14:29,30

I took that photo yesterday at our children's home in Tijuana, Mexico. Lucio and his employees are midway through completing the foundation for our new building. They've laid every foundation we've built on for the last 6 or 7 years. Their work is strong and secure to work on... Me? I'm at the spot I always get to in the final days before our Memorial Day Building trips... I know it's going to happen, we've got over 9,000 sq ft of building on our campus as evidence to God's faithfulness- after this weekend we'll be well over 12,000 sq ft of building to serve our little community, to house the children of Siempre, to invite people with heart and passion to come share The Lord in serving the poor. Even still, must be my personal insecurity, I dread the thought that someone might look and say: "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish."

And so we labor on.

Pastor Ken's in Mexico today, putting the final touches on every last detail. He and John Juhl have gone over every possible plan, ordered lumber, nails, counted windows... Ken and I spent part of our morning yesterday doing one more run down on the finances- "if we have to build with just the money we have... if we raise x more dollars... if we meet all our goals..." We're giving it our best shot. Our workers will give 100%. Workers from the community will come along side us for the weekend and give it all they've got. God will under gird and in miraculous fashion- Monday morning of Memorial Day weekend we'll dedicate the new building. I'm sure of it.

That doesn't mean my mind doesn't ponder all the "What if's...?" A list too long to continue.

I was there Wednesday afternoon- I saw it with my own two eyes, stood on it with my own two feet: we have a firm foundation. It's almost complete. That can't be taken away. Property's paid for, foundation's paid for and almost ready, God's opened the door... now we're ready for builders.

Floods will come. Challenges and trials are part of life. The foundation remains and Siempre sits on high ground- The Highest -God's Firm Foundation.

I'm more excited than ever to be a part of all God's using us to do in service to lost, abandoned and impoverished children in TJ. Our new building's an open invitation- beds for 64 workers, a dining hall and kitchen, showers, and an apartment for a new missionary... we're praying that you'll come and fill it up with people who long to share a new work, bring a new hope, reach out in new ways... but build on a firm foundation.

Siempre. It means always. I can't wait for Memorial Day Weekend! You're invited to share the miracle. It's a James 1:27 kind of thing. We're building on The Rock - what we do in the lives of these children for God will never be undone. I can't believe God's invited me. Hope you'll join us.

siempre,

Eric

The Guys I Work With

That's the pastoral staff at Central Community: from left to right- as you see them, Matt, John and Ken. Besides being Godly leaders with hearts just overflowing with love and quick to give their lives in service... they're fun to hang out with. Try it sometime.

Friends called last week and a couple of their timeshares at Lawrence Welk Resort in Escondido were suddenly going to be empty and they offered them to me. Pretty cool. The only thing nicer than owning great stuff is having friends generous enough to share their blessings with you! So we planned a quick, (two day, one night), staff retreat.

We did lot's of planning, discussed theology, prayed and did our best to make God and the people of Central Community proud. We also ate too much fast food, went for walks together- that picture was taken on the fountains golf course -shopped for new computers at FRY's and even slipped out Monday night to take in the new Harry Potter movie. Some of your basic male bonding kind of stuff... if I wasn't so cheap, we actually would have bought a computer, taken in a ball game instead of a movie and maybe really golfed instead of just walking the course... but it was all good.

I highly reccomend the resort; especially if friends give you some nights free. The movie was fun- I fell asleep near the end -what can I say, it was my first time to see a Harry Potter movie in the theater. The fast food made me want to be a vegetarian. All that said, I give my highest recommendations to hanging out with Matt, John and Ken. They're fun to be with, easy travelers and sheer entertainment with no need of a TV or ipod.

When you get the opportunity, check out their blogs. Each of them is much more widely read then mine and you'll begin to know why I had such a good Monday and Tuesday. God obviously knew what He was doing when He called these guys to serve. I know I'm proud to serve alongside them.

blessings,

Eric