MicahJohn

Today I received my first physical attack for Christ. At speaker’s corner a Muslim man had forced Jay off his ladder. After several times being removed from his ladder the police showed up. They asked Jay to move. At the new location I stood in front of him to try and deter attacks. The same man who had pushed Jay off earlier came right up to me and started screaming at Jay (in my ear) “liar” repeatedly. As he pressed against me I refused to move, so he brought his knee up and hit me in the thigh. I stumbled into him with a little extra force and regained some ground. Marcus encouraged me not to retaliate. So I started quoting silently 1Cor 13. At about the fourth verse he brought his knee up and made solid contact with my groin. I fell to the ground. Apparently the man ran away. I feel no anger, but am instead awed by Christ’s willingness to die for those beating him.

Yesterday I had an awesome time at speakers’ corner. My heart was really broken by several people being ruder than anyone else and doing so in Jesus’ name. I took some time to pray that God would give me peace, that he would speak through me and, among other things, that those who call Jesus Lord would show Jesus’ love. Eventually I joined a conversation between a Christian and two Muslims. By the time I entered the conversation the other Christian was ready for a break, so I became the main Christian speaker. Pretty rapidly more and more Muslims made a circle around us. I had an attentive audience of at least twenty (Some were attentive only to catch points in my speech on which they could catch me). This debate really challenged me to learn my scriptures better. We were able to have a very civil discussion (relative to other discussions at the corner). The man I was speaking with even backed me up when I asked one fellow not to interrupt me. I am convinced respect is earned through respect. I gave the Muslim firm affirmations whenever I agreed with what he said. Looking back at the conversation I had been able to have, I really felt God had answered my prayer.

So far on this trip I have had my musical abilities affirmed. I am realizing how much I enjoy serving the body and honoring God through music.

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I was at Chambersburg BIC, primarily with Frances Drost. The first day I attended a staff meeting in the morning, then helped pick out songs for both the upcoming traditional and contemporary service, then I picked out songs for a traditional service on my own. Wednesday Frances selected keyboard settings then we looked a little at the sound system. In the afternoon we practiced with the keyboardist. In the evening we practiced with the whole band. It was good to see how other worship teams are structured. I’ve been surprised by all the worship teams that are lead by the pianist (McBIC, Antrim, C-burg). I have seldom previously seen the worship leader use an instrument other than the guitar. Another different thing C-burg did was have an un-mic-ed worship choir.

Today I was at Crossroads. In the morning I went with Chuck Frank and Duke to check out the Greencastle High School as a potential meeting place for Crossroads church plant. Looked at ways to initially make the auditorium smaller (curtain off the back) so that there is not too much empty dead space. Also looked at parking. There was not enough out front, so there would need to be a way to easily access the meeting area from the rear parking lot. We also considered issues of weekly set up and tear down. In the afternoon I was further reminded of the value of a permanent facility. I helped Pastor Greg set up one of Crossroads multipurpose rooms for a seminar this weekend. Throughout the day I was able to talk with the various staff about their vision and how they implement it. This evening I attended a Children’s ministry meeting. It was good to see volunteers excited about working with kids and seeing what God does. A few times during the meeting people pointed out how God supplied teachers right when they needed them.

***While sitting here entering my hand written journal into the computer I am realizing that I left out some things. The Sunday I was at Crossroads I showed up in the morning to help prepare the school where they meet for the morning worship service. I was really impressed by the large number of people who where there a few hours early to set up. I also realized how nice it is not to have to set up so much.

My time at CRC for counselor training was a good time. Not only was I being taught those things necessary for being a counselor, but I was surrounded by the body of Christ. The CRC summer staff was a great bunch to be surrounded by. Before my departure for London they all circled around and prayed for me. ***

Yesterday I got back from a Friday, Saturday, Sunday encounter retreat with Mike Holland. He took me along both so I could experience the retreat and so I would know how an encounter retreat is run. Mike really sees them as a great way to jump-start a new believer in their faith. I enjoyed the retreat, particularly four hours of guitar playing with two of the people who were there.

Looking back over the last two days, I’m not sure all of what I did. I spent a portion of the day setting up for the Board for World Missions (BWM) meeting. In the afternoon I attended John Brubaker’s state of the mission address. I was struck with his skill in using the PowerPoint medium. I have now seen him speak to youths, college students, and adults, for each group he uses different slides to say the same thing. The value of this focused, professional communication is, in my opinion, immeasurable.

In the evening I went with Mike to the start of a Spanish small group. In attendance were myself, Mike, a Mexican couple and their three children. I was able to follow most of the conversation, but I was unable to really say anything. Public school Spanish didn’t teach me a lot of Bible words. One thing Miguel (Mike) ensured was that the new believers prayed out loud, so that they will not develop the understanding that praying out loud is an awkward thing. To help them pray out loud we went around the circle sharing praises, then we went around again sharing requests. The third time around we spoke to God about our praises and requests.

Yesterday was London orientation. I really enjoyed attending the mosque. After the service was over, there were three guys who stayed and answered our questions. We talked to them for about an hour. One of the things that really surprised me is that Muslims believe Jesus is going to come back to judge some of the world (they don’t believe Jesus is divine). In the evening I attended the BWM banquet.