The events of the first half of 2020 brought with them a new vocabulary. Some of the words and phrases we’ve never heard before, some are here to stay, and others we hope to never hear again.
Here’s a running list:
“wild fires in Australia, missiles in the Middle East, the death of Kobe Bryant, impeachment, COVID-19, Corona virus, Dow Jones crash, executive orders, PPE, ventilators, flatten the curve, the first wave, no March Madness, no professional sports, social distancing, face masks, six-feet apart, quarantine, stay home/stay safe, the CARES Act, ZOOM, online classes, virtual church, reopen the economy, George Floyd, black lives matter, blue lives matter, all lives matter, peaceful protests, marches and rallies and riots, defund the police, silence is violence, woke and cancel culture, ANTIFA, CHAZ/CHOP zone, the second wave, the 2020 presidential election …”
Pandemics, cultural injustice, social unrest, political divisions, false gods, misplaced hope in fragile economies, fractured relationships, and frayed nerves have all built a stage to platform our deep rooted sinful corruption, the world’s systemic depravity, and the amplified voice of the Evil One, the Murderer, Deceiver and Father of Lies.
However, as only the Triune God can do, such troubles and tribulations can also be turned around on the Evil One. What the enemy means for evil the Lord Jesus works for the good of the Kingdom.
Perhaps during these “gray and latter days” your hearts have been softened in repentance and your ears acutely attuned to hear the Gospel. Oh how we long to hear the clear and calm voice of the Good Shepherd, our Brother, the Great High Priest, Eternal King, Prince of Peace, the Word made flesh who still dwells among us. In the midst of all of the uncertainty and new vocabulary, the promises of the Lord Jesus and His Word remain the same!
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (NIV)
I am humbled to share with you that throughout the COVID-19 quarantine, by God’s grace, all of the Spirit’s gifts, and your prayers and gifts, we have been able to continually proclaim the voice of the Good Shepherd to the “little flock” at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit and in the Tri-County ekklesias.
The stay at home measures may have limited in person and on site ministry but they have not hindered the proclamation of God’s Word. In fact, it has been a sacredly busy and productive season for the Missionary at Large position.
No one knows what “second waves” or new cultural events and vocabulary may come our way. Perhaps, the Lord Jesus will reappear yet this day and make all things new. If He tarries, we have the promise that the Word of Lord remains forever and that Jesus will build His church.
Here’s a short summary of the Lord’s work among us.
- Forty Day Online Devotional during Lent
- Development of Online Discipleship Portal called “eXPlain it”
- Creation of Family Virtual Bible Camp called Safari Through the Scriptures (launched June 15th and will continue to add material during the summer months)
- Seven (7) different ZOOM ekklesias hosted during stay at home order:
Next Steps Summer 2020
On Site/In Person Worship at East Bethlehem
As of Sunday, June 28th, East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit has resumed onsite and in person worship services. We look forward to gathering once again around the gifts of Jesus and with one another.
I will also continue to provide some type of virtual ZOOM worship service and study for those who cannot attend on site services.
Family Virtual Bible Camp (VBC)
Because of the COVID-19 novel virus, many churches have been forced to cancel their 2020 in-person/on-site VBS programs. Though families will not be able to bring their children to a church building this summer, the “Church” still can bring the good news of Jesus to families. I’ve used some of my new technical skills to create a family Virtual Bible Camp (VBC) called Safari Through the Scriptures.
Safari is a virtual, creative and fun online experience designed to digitally deliver a way to study the Bible and learn about Jesus. It’s just a new way of delivering the always and forever message of the Gospel. Safari is designed for the entire family and has three (3) main conceptual components:
- Hakuna Matata: Activities, games, no worries and lots of fun for the entire family. (This is led by my brother, “Coach John”, the fun one in the family.)
- Jambo and Rafiki: A way to meet and make friends, maybe even some new “rafiki” (Swahili for “friends”) from Africa. Through live ZOOM meetings and videos we’ll get to know Rev. James May, his family and the local Maasai community living in the villages around LIA’s Lutheran School of Theology.
- Safari through the Scriptures: A time to read, study and search the Scriptures looking for Jesus. (Hosted and taught by me, with some special guest teaching by Rev. James May of Lutherans in Africa)
Hakuna Matata with “Coach John”
At the present time Safari through the Scriptures consists of six (6) Safaris. The content will be developed and released during the summer months. The themes are: Searching for Jesus in … the Bible, the Books of Moses, the Psalms, the Prophets, the Gospels and the Epistles.
Teaching for Adults/Teens
Each Safari will contain …
- recorded teaching modules designed in content and substance for the “heads of households” (dads, moms, grandparents etc.)
- in addition, I’ll try and provide a separate video (with the “same substance” of the lesson) yet delivered in a style age related and appropriate for the kids
- each Safari will contain online video lessons of different lengths that families can use as “family devotions” and watch together at any time
Teaching for Kids (“Cubbies”)
The technical delivery of these components will consist of the following:
- Digital materials delivered in video form and hosted on an online virtual classroom called “eXPlain it”
- Live virtual elements of teaching and community hosted through ZOOM.
I am convinced that the Triune God will give us all of the gifts needed to proclaim His Word. He has abundantly provided all of the technical tools, the resilience of spirit and the capacity to create new and compelling ways to teach the Devil to death.
As Martin Luther was fond of saying …
“The Devil may be the master of 1000 arts but the Triune God and His Word are Master of 100,000 more.”
We continue to go “by faith” and thank God for His provision supplied by you. Thank you again for your generous support, encouragement, prayers and many kindnesses.
Charitable Giving and Support for the “Missionary at Large” Position
Since East Bethlehem Lutheran Church is an under resourced ministry in the city of Detroit, I, as a Missionary at Large, am responsible for raising 100% of my own funding (salary, health care, benefits, ministry costs).
This financial support is an ongoing need and is a formidable challenge. We go “by faith” and continually thank God for His provision supplied by faithful and generous individuals.
If you would like to support the “Missionary at Large” position through East Bethlehem you can either give a charitable donation by check or through electronic giving.
Below are some of the specifics for each option:
Giving Online
You can financially support my deployment as a “Missionary at Large” to the Tri-County, Metro Detroit Area through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church by giving online. Just click the blue button below and complete the secure online form.
All electronic giving will be transacted through the Kindrid/MinistryOne giving platform. For all credit or debit card donations the transaction fee charged by Kindred is: 2.5% of transaction + 30 cents per gift.
Giving by Check
You can also make a donation towards the “Missionary at Large” deployment by check.
Make your check payable to:
- “East Bethlehem Lutheran Church”
- In the memo line designate: “Missionary at Large”
Mail to
East Bethlehem Lutheran Church
3510 E. Outer Dr.
Detroit, MI 48234
(313) 892-2670
All gifts received to this designated fund are deposited into an account restricted for the support and deployment of the “Missionary at Large” position through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Any gifts received in excess of the deployment’s needs for a given year are held and carried over for use during the next fiscal year.
We commend all into the Lord’s hands. One day He will reappear, perhaps yet this day, and He will make all things new. But if He delays, He only tarries so that many more may hear, receive and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To that end we pledge ourselves.
We belong to Christ,
Paul