Do the Math!

G+M(time)=Life Change

“Go make disciples of all nations…….” I grew up in the church so, sure, I get it already. I need to go make disciples. The dirty little secret is this: no one around me taught me what in the world that really meant. Oh, I’ve read books, taken courses and classes and I have even been in “discipleship relationships” but, I still found myself laying awake in bed at night asking myself, “what am I missing?” 

I dove in to a study about a year and a half ago; determined to come away knowing exactly what Jesus meant for me when he said, “go make disciples.” The word is translated most often as “learner.” But, being a disciple means a whole lot more than just being a learner. The word is mathetes which is where we get our English word “math” or “mathematics”. This changes everything. A disciple is a mathematician!

A disciple is one who takes hold of truth and follows it with an endeavor. In other words, a disciple takes truth and moves it into action. A disciple DOES THE MATH! He or she takes a look at the truth of who God says He is according to His Word, (factor number 1) and the truth about ones’ own life (factor number 2) and does the equation and applies the result! The factoring of the truth about God and the truth about self produces conclusions that demand a change. A disciple’s life is profoundly shaped by what he or she is learning as opposed to a great student or scholar. A disciple is one who willingly participates in the collision of these two truths. The collision profoundly impacts every single aspect of everyday life. Remember, discovering truth always exposes corresponding lies. The exposure is terrifying because this process must be done with others. We never get a clear picture or see truth all alone. We may have to admit that what we believed about God was so small or a little….well…. whack. We may have to look in a mirror confess area that we have pretended. It takes guts to be a real disciple because it takes guts to face the truth. Discipleship forces us to SEE where we got it wrong. Discipleship pops us out of our common ruts and that is painful. 

I have learned that this is one kind of math I can’t avoid. It is a beautiful, harrowing, exposing journey to the heart of God through to my own heart. But, trust me, the equals sign in this math equation points to a deeper intimacy with a God who is just crazy about me. So as for me? I will do the math!

Im looking forward to fall and leading another math class for women. We call it Life on Life Discipleship. Want in? Contact Regina at  reginab@changepointalaska.com.


- Gwen Adam

Greetings Family!

Vacation Bible School (VBS) isn’t new. There is a rich heritage of leaders who trace their beginnings as followers of Jesus Christ to their life changing experience at VBS.  On our church website’s staff page there is at least one person who fell in love with Jesus at VBS!   

Life in Christ for every Alaskan and the World Beyond  is what came up  in prayer about Vacation Bible School  last summer.  We didn’t know that God was going to rock our socks as he challenged us to walk in faith as we stepped out of the “traditional” VBS box and into the unknown.  God placed it on my heart, to go out. Go out and share His truth , His love and His life with kids who wouldn’t be able to come to ChangePoint  for church on Sunday, nonetheless for VBS. So we made the decision to take VBS to the kids in Mountainview and in the Chinook Elementary areas.  

I like routine and I like schedules.  God however, He constantly challenges me to step out of my comfort zone, and VBS is a perfect example of it:

It was in a park: Weather unknown. 

It had no budget: Funding unknown.

It was the first VBS  of its kind: volunteers unknown. Support unknown. Kids attending…….UNKNOWN!!!

Yet  God knew, and He provided. With the $2 offering, funding and support was made known as you provided over $10,000 for VBS.  You stepped in to serve, because you were in agreement with the direction of VBS, and when we went into the parks last July, the kids came.  We guesstimated 200 children(Well, that’s what we prepared for).  Guess how many we had in attendance? 200 Children! 

Each one of those kids had a story.  There was the little boy who reminded me of my son, Alani. They actually became friends at VBS.   But Alani went home to a bed, a couch and a bike.   This little guy went home to an empty house because his family didn’t have furniture.  He would come to the park early in the morning when mom went to work and played there until the free lunch truck came.  He’d eat lunch and then play some more until Mom got off work.  Then there was the brother, who won a $5 gift card for bringing all his siblings to VBS.   Afterwards, they held hands as they walked to McDonalds to get a special treat….. a 50 cent ice cream cone.  

God is glorified as we are satisfied in Him.  Over the course of that week, my cup overflowed.  He reminded me that each one of those children was a soul.  An eternal soul.  During that week, those eternal souls heard the eternal word of God.  Because we listened and obeyed and stepped out in faith, knowing that God is God. The Author and Finisher, who knows each one of those 200 kids, and loves each one of them so much that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him, shall never perish but have eternal life.  

Please join me in prayer as we prepare to embark on year two of VBS outreach at Chinook elementary and as we get ready for the $2 offering.  May God’s Will be done as we step in as the hands and feet of Jesus.

In His Hands,

Vanessa Makihele

Hello, ChangePoint missionaries of the gospel!

It has truly been an eventful month of May! Much to catch you up on, so I’ll dive right in. Our elders, staff and deacons have survived another ministry planning season, and we feel richly blessed. You’ll remember, we began the process at “The Table” in January, seeking the Lord together for his direction and listening to your feedback. So we went into the first elder retreat confident that we were hearing from God related to some major themes.  We’ve believed that there were some significant things God wants us to step into despite a need to reduce the overall budget. We never know quite how God is going to provide in that situation, but he always does! God is allowing us to add to our ministry in some pretty strategic areas and reduce spending in other areas, lowering our total budget significantly.

Perhaps most significantly, we will begin immediately to look for a Pastor of Preaching & Vision to add as a fourth member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). This man will have strengths in direction and vision casting to compliment Teaching Pastor Dan Jarrell’s teaching strengths. Dan will continue to preach regularly, will focus more of his energy toward developing pastors and preachers, and will develop a digital extension of Multnomah Seminary right here at ChangePoint. 

 We’ll also add a new Pastor of Worship Arts to lead our Celebration Team when Lee Hudson begins his counseling career. Lee will continue to lead us in worship frequently during his transition. We’re excited for God’s calling on Lee’s life. Please join us in praying for him and his family during this transition. 

As a result these coming changes, we’ve decided to update job titles for Rick Steele and myself, to bring clarity to our roles on the staff. Rick’s new title is Executive Pastor of Operations, and mine is Executive Pastor of Ministries. Dan will continue as Teaching Pastor, but will focus more of his energy on developing pastors and teachers when our new Pastor of Preaching & Vision joins the team.

You will hear much more about both of these transitions in coming months. Stay tuned!

The elders have felt it is time to organize ChangePoint as a church of Life Groups, communities of people who live life together in close discipling relationships, intentional about being transformed together and demonstrating the heart of Jesus Christ together all over our city. We’ve done a lot of research during the spring on how to effectively make that transition, and we’ll continue to develop leadership in this area over the summer and fall. We’ll keep you informed about this development as it happens.

These are just a couple of the most significant changes coming for our church. You can read the entire Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2013 by clicking here. We’re looking forward to communicating with you in more detail over the summer.

Blessings,

Jay Pullins
Executive Pastor of Ministries