THE NECESSITY OF OUTSIDE IN VOICES

On 27 February I wrote a column entitled, “The polarizing perceptions of Rwanda.” In the column I compared Rwanda’s leaders to historical figures that Jewish and Christian theologians call, “post-exilic prophets.” Approximately 2,600 years ago, the nation of Judah was in exile. While in exile her brightest youth became masters of foreign thought, language, and culture while never giving up their national identity. After exile they returned, and built systematic institutions of security, education, business, and religion. In the process their voices polarized the known world. They spoke as outsiders with inside understanding. The term prophet refers not so much to their mystical ability to predict the future as it does to their gifts of profound moral insight and exceptional powers of expression.

Allow me to use another term to describe why Rwanda is so polarizing – missionary. I am not writing purely about odd foreigners with romantic ideals, colorful personalities, and strong convictions. I am writing about a much older definition. One of my favorite seminary professors, Dr. Ed Mathews defined missionaries as “one sent by the Holy Spirit for the purposes of communication that creates followers of Jesus.” Let me make the definition more pragmatic. A missionary is one sent in God’s perfect timing with message. He is an outside in voice.

Though few dare use the term missionary to describe when Rwanda’s leaders speak to world powers who consider themselves gods, I think it is quite appropriate to use the term missionary to describe Rwanda’s role as an outside in voice. As can be expected those who consider themselves gods respond in polarizing ways when their godhood is threatened.

The catch about missionaries is that every culture needs them. Without an outside in voice not only does a culture slip morally it slips economically. Even the great economic power, the United States of America needs outside in voices to economically thrive. Some of America’s brightest economic minds are now arguing one way to restore America’s economy is through immigration reform. When economics meets good religious reasoning the term becomes economic missionaries. All cultures need an outside in voice to see a new possibility and launch entrepreneurial endeavors. The ethnicity, nationality, and race of these outside in voices is irrelevant. What is relevant is that they come sent with a message that is transformational.

From Rwanda’s current government, business, and religious leaders to her brightest youth scattered in the world’s top universities many Banyarwanda meet the definition of missionary. Conversely, there are many in Rwanda who look like traditional missionaries and are missionaries.

My best atheist and agnostic friends in the Great Lakes have whispered to me, “What is the deal with these missionary characters? Do they really hear God’s voice? Do they have some hidden agenda? How do they benefit from being here?” I am thankful for friends willing to be candid.

Jenkins' family Sent by CCR to North America

Please allow me to be candid. My mzee professor got it right. Is there evidence they have been sent? If no one from their country of origin is willing to raise their hand, and say, “We sent them,” they are not a missionary. Instead they are delusional. If they don’t have a message that inspires with its hope and goodness they are not missionaries. If their actions do not lead to transformation of a culture in all its many facets – education, business, and leadership – they are not missionaries. Some who claim to be missionaries are not missionaries. They and Rwanda are best served with a gentle conversation that leads to a quiet departure.

Yet, the vast majority of those who claim to be missionaries are speaking gentle transformational messages and building generational endurance. I am very thankful to have been considered such honor as mine, and to have served in the Great Lakes for so many years with so many inspirational comrades. They heard God’s call to leave all comforts of home. They came with no personal agenda. Their reward has been many earthly friendships and the hope of heaven.

Lunch with Clarisse Irabagiza in Cyikago (Chicago)

Many have asked our family as we transition back to our passport country, “Do you need to go?” We leave called. We would much rather stay in Rwanda. Yet, our community needs us in another location. Our parents have not had us consistently near them for 19 years, are getting old, and we need to be near. Our children are reaching university age in cultural transition, and need us near. The institutions we have built must be stronger than us. In order to become God’s intent we must relinquish the institution’s leadership. Lastly, we sense God wants us near the many Banyarwanda youth we have been fortunate to facilitate studying in the USA. We leave our home of Rwanda as missionaries to the USA because of our hope in our heavenly home.

My boss once spoke about this odd relationship as the ones who receive a missionary become missionaries themselves and inherit missionary rewards. He said, “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded (Matthew 10:40-42, New Living Translation.)”

Seven years ago, our family entered Rwanda with an idea of beginning an English based church with a good children’s program. All we had was a few friends who sent us and a few Banyarwanda friends who received us. The results have been more honor than a single man is due. If honor must be given to humanity it should be given to the community who accepted us as friends, nurtured our lives, dreamed, and labored with us. We are immensely grateful.

This is the last column I will write for Focus as a Rwanda resident for this season of life. Thank you for such a thrilling journey. I will go as your missionary to the USA. I will seek to be near your youth and give them my best pastoral care. I trust you will continue to share your abundant grace and kindness to my fellow missionaries. I also trust that the Lord will continue to use you as missionaries to our world’s powers. May God bless all.

WHO IS ON THE OTHER SIDE?

Yesterday we got through one of the scariest moments for missionaries - Who will be on "The Other Side?"  As we step off a plane in a city with few friends and start over.   Thankfully, yesterday it was Sophia Jenkins running with flowers and hugs, Gaston and Jan Tarbet plus Marsha Vaughn with vehicles, and then a quick trip to a temporary furnished home.  

In March 1993 it was Debra Carr for us at Entebbe.

On June 22, 2005 it was KIST staff in Kanombe.

A few years ago, we were doing the same for Jeff and Cheryl Cash.   You need to read their blog to see our common shared journey.   http://www.gentlyled.blogspot.com/2012/06/pushing-through-doors.html

We are so thankful and blessed by so many in our shared journeys.

Dave

JENKINS' FAREWELL DINNER THIS FRIDAY

Dear Friends in Rwanda,

Our family’s departure from Rwanda for this season is rapidly approaching.     On Monday, 4 June we will fly from Kigali to Chicago believing God has called us to go as missionaries from Rwanda to serve Great Lakes Diaspora in North America. 

Farewells have never been easy for us.    However, we recognize that with the limitations of this present age they are part of life.    God looks from heaven upon the troubles of man.   He sees the unfinished tasks in our community.  Then He calls individuals to leave all that is known and comfortable to serve others.   Farewells and awkward moments are part of this age as we await a new one.

Rwanda has been exceedingly kind to us.   There is no way we can repay the kindness.   However, we can say goodbye well.   Then we reside in hope.    It is our hope that our season away from Rwanda will be brief.  Beyond this hope is a hope in a day in which death will have no further hold upon man.  

Because of these hopes farewells are celebrations.   A new day is coming. 

Christ’s Church in Rwanda is hosting a Farewell Dinner for our family this Friday, 1 June at 6:00 p.m.   The cost for adults will be 5,000 RWF and children 3,000 RWF.    It would give our family great pleasure if you could join us that evening.

If you are able to attend please inform GAKIRE Vivian (0788-535-771); Nsenga Eron (0788-309-070); or NYAGAHURA Marguerite (0788-638-045.

Imana ikurinde,

Dave and Jana

GREAT LAKE'S COMMON SENSE COMPASSION

The last few weeks I’ve noticed our region’s media poking fun at Kenyan funerals and political maneuvering. Humanity has a dark side. Sometimes we use sympathy as a means to manipulate for selfish gain. Possibly Kenyan politicians are the worst at it. Yet, if Kenyan politicians do it, we all do it. There are nuances from district to district, and nation to nation. Yet, certain patterns of behavior are consistent from Mombasa to Bujumbura. When one dies we all gather to support the grieving.

A funeral service: Some of my peers and juniors have pointed out that funerals are the places where old wounds are healed so they don’t become generational cycles of revenge. (file photo)

My wife Jana’s childhood was spent in Kenya. We are in Nairobi a few times every year. We learned our basics of Great Lakes’ cultural understanding and good manners in Kenya. We’re offended at any who would manipulate sympathy for selfish maneuvering. Yet, we also are not convinced that every funeral is just an opportunity for manipulation. What if funerals are one of the events of life to display our common sense Great Lakes’ compassion?

Those who taught me Great Lakes’ culture told me that when a community member passes we all stop and do all we can to support the family. In their whispers they told me that those living in the fear of shadows would conclude we had sought the deceased’s death if we did not attend the funeral. Yet, they also taught us it is just good manners to attend and support. Some of my peers and juniors have pointed out that funerals are the places where old wounds are healed so they don’t become generational cycles of revenge. They have also pointed out that in the memories of the deceased the most important life lessons are taught. Missing a funeral is missing our community’s opportunity to remember the past with hope for the future.
My youth was spent in Uganda in the early 1990’s as AIDS decimated a generation. It seemed rare not to have a funeral per week to attend. At times I wondered if the social obligation to attend funerals wasn’t crippling both government efficiency and economic prosperity. Funerals were the trump card to miss professional obligations.

The season has changed, but Great Lakes’ common sense compassion remains.

On Monday, 21 May my family was startled to read on Facebook and over email that an old family friend, Berkeley Hackett, had passed. He was 70 years old, but as fit as many men half his age. He was a missionary peer of Jana’s parents and like an uncle to her. He had not sought personal prestige, but had built churches, schools, and scholarship programs. His life’s jewel, Kenya Christian Industrial Training Institute seemed to be the source for both some of Kenya’s better basketball and computer brains.
We had no other choice. We boarded a flight on Thursday 24 May for the funeral on Friday 25 May. In the back of my mind I wondered if our region’s media cynics were right. What would the memorial bring?

As we reached Jomo Kenyatta’s Airports Immigration lines we wrote “Funeral” as our purpose of visit and “1 night” as our intended length of stay. The Immigration official asked a question and then pushed back our $50 USD payment for a Visitor’s Visa. This was a Transit Visa he concluded that would only cost $20 USD. He told us, “This is my decision and not policy. Don’t ask for this another time. Yet, thank you for traveling for a funeral. Let me help.”

I went to trade money with a Swahili and obviously Muslim family. They asked why I was in Kenya and I told them a funeral. They asked, “Who? What happened?” They concluded by asking Allah’s blessings on our journey.

The funeral was in Eastleigh. The road was a disaster. In the end we left our taxi and walked 3 blocks through the mud. Before we reached the church building the road returned to tarmac. A poor woman noticed Jana’s dirty sandaled feet, stopped her clothes washing, and washed Jana’s feet before we entered the church compound. This was no religious ceremony, but just Kenya’s best hospitality.

Facebook walls allow those of us with diverse friends who never meet to now do on our wall what we only once could do at funerals. Yet funerals are in a way much better. Social media helps us stay aware. Humanity still needs to hear words, laugh, cry, sing, dance, and touch. Funerals are that place.

Berkeley passed away in a gym shortly after exercise in the presence of Kenya’s 1988 Olympian DouglasWakiihuri. Douglas told the story of his gym friend. Most of us had no idea they were friends.

There were many speeches. Jana saw an old Kenyan pastoral friend, Johnstone Kapa. After the funeral he repeated his request for our family to return to Kenya to live and work. A Kenyan future seems unlikely for us, but it is good to be remembered and welcomed.

As predicted by media cynics there was a political presence. Kenya’s Minister of Education, Mutula Kilonzo’s daughter spoke. Her dad’s schedule kept him occupied, but she told stories of old. Berkeley was her dad’s friend when he was beginning a legal career and had yet to enter politics. He sent his daughter to remember a friend who “led from the back.”

The media cynics may be right about some who use funerals as a way to manipulate community sympathy. Yet, I still believe they reflect the best of our Great Lakes’ common sense compassion. When there is a community loss we all hurt. We respond by coming together to support the family. In the process we remember the past and find the future.

A few years ago I attended a funeral in Rwanda that I’ll never forget. A loved one had passed away abroad. The body was brought back to be buried at home. In the process a scattered extended family gathered from both our Great Lakes region plus Europe and North America. After the funeral 2 couples pulled me aside. Neither had ever had a “church wedding” in the presence of their complete extended family. For the next few days a possibility existed. On a Tuesday night in Kigali I performed a small intimate double wedding.
I had lunch that Tuesday with a media friend who writes for a Kenyan-based paper. He asked me what I was doing that evening. I told him a double wedding. He first thought it was a joke. Then I told the story. My friend smiled, and we both delighted at the power of Great Lakes’ common sense compassion. We knew the tragedy of a past that had left an extended family fragmented. Yet what could be better than a double wedding for a reunited family after a funeral?

A few may manipulate our sympathy. Yet Great Lakes’ common sense compassion is the substance of our lives. In it we find hope

USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO CCR DUE TO MARATHON

Dear CCR Family and Friends,

This Sunday is the Kigali Peace Marathon and the Nyarutarama road will be closed from the Airport Road to the MTN Center.

You can find the race route at
http://www.kigalimarathon.com/photo.aspx?lng=EN&content=104&RedirectURL=%252fCMSPage.aspx%253flng%253dEN%2526content%253d104&photo=%252fphotos%252fparcours%252fmap%2bmara.JPG

We suggest you take alternative routes such as through Kacyiru, Gisozi, or Kibagabaga to CCR this Sunday.

Hope to see you,

Dave

P.S.  CCR is in need of an individual to volunteer to facilitate communication and mobilization.   If you are interested please contact pastor Brett.

CCR HANDOVER SUNDAY SERMON - 13 May 2012

Today is the last time I am scheduled to preach at CCR during this season of ministry.    On Monday, 4 June our family will leave Kigali believing God has called us to leave all that is familiar to become missionaries to the Great Lakes Diaspora in the United States.    Today is the day that CCR Handover becomes official.    I like Paul am hopeful for the future.   We will meet again both in this life and in another.   I will in the future preach at CCR and be with many of you through life transitions as we meet again.    However, the season of CCR’s history in which I have functioned as her Senior Pastor has come to a close.   These moments of transition are awkward and painful, but they are for a purpose.

Luke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gathered the history of the early church.   He wrote an exceptional history.     With his history he starts well with an introductory summary in Acts 1:8.   Eugene Peterson translates the summary, “Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world (The Message.)"      Sovereign God orders time so the Gospel can go forth.   We are filled with the Holy Spirit when we come to faith.   Our task is to take the Gospel to the ends of the world.

Luke’s history ends awkwardly.   “Good” historical books conclude with a historic victory and then several “lessons learned.”   Instead Luke closes with the master missionary Paul under house arrest in Rome.   While under house arrest Paul boldly states, “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen! (Acts 28:28)”   There is no closure.   

We turn the page to Acts 29.   Yet, there is no Acts 29.

My favorite theologians write that we leave in the age of Acts 29.    Our task is to proclaim the good news of Jesus resurrection.   As we proclaim lives are changed, disciples are made, churches start and thrive.   We live in the awkward moments of Acts 29 as we wait for Jesus to return.

We are entering an Acts 29 season at CCR.   Closing a chapter, but the story is not done.

If the Lord does not return in the next 100 years one will arise to write the history of CCR.   If he is a good Bible student he will start with God’s eternal plans of adopting us as His children before creation.   His next chapters will tell the history of Rwanda that made our current season possible.   Then there will be a chapter about the first 5 years of CCR’s history with me as her Senior Pastor.   Then other chapters will begin with others used by God.   If the historian is honest the history will show human triumphs and failings.   All the good that humanity does is by grace.  God is the hero of the CCR story.

On Saturday 5 May 2012 CCR held her Annual General Meeting.    We elected a new Board of Directors.   This followed a long process.   God works through all of our situations to give us wisdom.    Eight months ago, Jana and I announced that we sensed God was calling us to leave Rwanda.   A question in many of our minds was, “How will the succession go?”   

Jana and I spent 2 weeks in Nairobi when Mugisha was having convulsions.    At one point we were in Uchumi supermarket.   We heard a familiar voice in the background say, “Do you remember me?”   We turned and it was a very old friend, Mona Zikusooka.   Jana and I had mentored Mona and her husband, Jacob for 6 months as they prepared to wed in 1998.   They are some of our best memories.    As Mugisha’s convulsions added stress we had a need to stay with some who were like family.   We began living with Jacob, Mona, and their three daughters.     During this time we received some wise counsel.    Those we had previously mentored gave us great wisdom.   Jacob had served as the Chairman of a church elders’ board as their Senior Pastor transitioned.   It did not go well.   Jacob’s counsel was that there needed to be a plan.   I needed to lead it.   It would require many individual meetings, small group meetings, leadership meetings, and eventually a plan owned by the entire church.   We are now at this point.

In our CCR AGM we unanimously elected the following individuals to serve as our new CCR Board of Directors as our CCR Handover People:

Brett Shreck will serve as both our CCR Senior Pastor and Legal Representative.     As such he will be the Vision Bearer for CCR.   He will have the CCR Stamp and be the one accountable for CCR’s dealings with the Rwanda government.   Brett believes and does the right things to be the CCR Vision Bearer.   Former Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Angelina Muganza gave the original idea of CCR – An English based church with a good children’s and youth program.   Brett has brought excellence and order to CCR’s Children’s ministry.   I am confident he will do this in the entirety for CCR.    Brett and Keli Shreck have embraced the CCR vision of Spoken For.   We can build a network of families who can foster children who fall into vulnerable situations until they can either be re-united with their extended families or adopted.   

Moses Mbabaali will serve as both CCR’s Youth Pastor and Deputy Legal Representative.   In Brett’s absence Moses will carry the stamp and be the one accountable for CCR’s dealings with the Rwanda government.    In Moses serving as CCR’s DLR we are making a conscious choice for CCR.   We will embrace the youth.   We will do all we can to empower their success.   Among our leadership most of us conclude that Moses has the greatest raw spiritual gifts of Vision Bearing.    He knows where we need to go and sees the steps we need to take to most give God glory.   For instance, some of you may remember what the sound was like as CCR began 5 years ago.   Our facility echoed.   Our worship team was awful to the ear.   Moses saw that we needed to make sacrificial investments in instruments, sound systems, and young hopeful musicians.   We bought sound systems and instruments when we had no musicians.   His vision bearing has produced the worship team we now have at CCR.

William Rusty Linden will serve as CCR’s Chief Executive Officer.   He will be responsible for making sure things function with order.   He will continue to have a lead role in CCR’s Community Groups and Worship Teams.   I do not believe CCR would have been able to accomplish 2 worship services without Rusty’s leadership.    

Our CCR Treasurer is UMUHIRE Anita.   She is not with us today due to being sick with chicken pox.    Some of you may not know Anita.  If you do not know Anita please friend her on Facebook.   I want you to know Anita.   You will notice that Anita is young.   In fact, she looks significantly younger than she is.     Anita serves as the Head of Finance at Fina Bank.   She also is someone who just seeks out opportunities to serve.   You will notice her as a key participant with CCR ministries that are core to our vision such as Sunday Children’s Ministry and Spoken For.    It is obvious that her responsibilities as Treasurer will be to manage CCR’s finances.   

In the start of any endeavor the first days require the few gathered to the vision to do almost everything.    Brett has been managing CCR’s finances.    It is too much for us to expect him to lead our CCR vision and manage our financial resources.   Anita will quickly take the role of managing our financial resources.   

Our CCR Secretary is GAKIRE KABEHO Vivian.   If you read through our CCR constitution you will not find the constitutional role of a Secretary.   Yet, if you look through the documents we have given Rwandan government officials you will find the need for a Secretary.   Thus we chose to elect a Secretary.   For those who do not know Vivian please friend her on Face book.    She has an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University and works in Rwanda’s Prime Minister’s Office.   She has been an active participant at CCR.    I believe that as she serves as the CCR Secretary she will be able to lighten the load of our pastoral leaders by keeping our documentation and records current.

Our CCR Constitution calls for two advisors on the Board of Directors.   The two to be elected are Dr. NKUSI Emmanuel and NYAGAHURA Marguerite.    I hope none of you have the misfortune to meet Dr. NKUSI in his professional expertise.   May your family, friends, and you never need a neurosurgeon.   If you do need a neurosurgeon Dr. NKUSI is one of two in Rwanda.   He works very long hours serving our nation.    Though he is quite busy I trust he will bring his wisdom to our CCR leadership.   For almost all who live or labor in the 2020 Vision Estate we know NYAGAHURA Marguerite.     She is the one we call when we have a problem and need advice.    I believe she will also give great wisdom to our CCR leadership.

Brett Shreck, Moses Mbabaali, Rusty Linden, UMUHIRE Anita, GAKIRE KABEHO Vivian, Dr. NKUSI Emmanuel and NYAGAHURA Marguerite will serve CCR for two years as our Board of Directors.

Besides this board we will have an Audit Committee who will once per year review the finances of CCR.    The Audit Committee is made up of BARIGYE Arthur Mugunga, NIWENKUNDA Catherine, and NSENGA Eron Asiimwe.    BARIGYE Arthur Mugunga is trained in Business and is one of the executives for MacMillan book publishers in Rwanda.   NIWENKUNDA Catherine has an MBA from the School of Finance and Banking and has served with USAID.   NSENGA Eron Asiimwe is a businesswoman trained by Peace Through Business.   I am confident in all three’s ability to hold CCR accountable to well document our finances.

As we came to a new Board of Directors for CCR we also came to a CCR Handover Action Plan.   You will notice that the Action Plan is not in detail.   However, it lays out seven broad areas that are key for CCR’s continued vision.   This was intentional.  First, we want to empower our CCR leadership to work out the details as they best see fit.   Second, we kept ourselves to 7 points so this would be easy to remember and also reflect completeness as some theologians consider 7 a symbol of completion.

First, CCR will continue to have 2 English Sunday Worship Services in which the gospel is preached and facilitate community groups for the purpose of spreading the gospel of Jesus.  As an English medium church CCR will continue to promote the learning of the English language. 

Moses pointed out well that our constitution empowers future CCR church planting.   I trust a day will come in which we will notice a cluster of 10 to 20 CCR families in a Kigali neighborhood.   On that day we will birth a new church.   

CCR currently is at an awkward numeric place.   We bounce in the 300 to 350 range.   Most who study patterns of human community and church growth say this is an unsustainable number.   Either CCR will grow into the range of 500 to 1,000 or we’ll drift back to around 200.    We must make uncomfortable choices today if we believe God has called us to grow.    Thus we are choosing to continue to have 2 English worship services in our current facility plus community groups and promoting of the English language. 

Our following points on our CCR Action Plan all concern CCR’s vision to build the leadership capacity of Rwanda’s youth.

Our second point in our Action Plan is that CCR will continue serving as facilitator for Presidential Scholarship programs through Oklahoma Christian University, the Hendrix Consortium, and other educational institutions.    Our CCR staff plays a key role as helpful friends in bridging MINEDUC and these universities.   We have helped over 300 of Rwanda’s brightest to study at universities in the USA.   These students have excelled, and been exceptional Rwandan ambassadors.   Part of the reason my family will be returning to the USA for a season is to pastorally serve these Rwandan students.

Our third and sixth Action Plan points relate to property.   They are:

Number three is to begin exploratory conversations concerning the possibility of partnering in developing a new school in property adjoining the current 2020 Vision Estate.

And number six to begin exploratory conversations concerning the possibility of partnering in the developing a youth cultural and sports center near the current 2020 Vision Estate.

As you can see we intend to plan for growth.   Rwanda has too few schools and too few places for our youth to discover all their abilities in community.   The property to our west provides options for growth.   A friend of mine who does not share my convictions about the resurrection pointed out that though we currently have fabulous facility we are not prepared for the population of our hill to increase by 8 fold.  

When my family first lived in the 2020 Vision Estate we walked by our current facility and prayed, “God I cannot imagine that this property is available.   The next time an estate is built can we be on the ground floor?”

Thankfully, the property was available.   Yet, I am not convinced that God’s intent does not reflect our original prayer.   

When CCR was first granted registration in May 2006 we were given instructions by MNALOC to develop property.   When we asked where we were taken to the property to our west and told that it could become available with the expropriation exercise.     We felt uncomfortable for a church to be involved in the expropriation exercise.   Yet, now that the expropriation is finished the property has sat idle for nearly 3 years.    

Kigali City Council has recently requested for stake holders in Kigali to participate in the Master plan.   (See http://focus.rw/wp/2012/05/kigali-city-calls-for-input-on-master-plan/ and http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=14985&a=53328.)

It is time for CCR to be a participant in the discussion.   Brett Shreck before coming to Rwanda was a Real Estate broker.   He has much more skill in this area than I.   Also, during our early days only a few of us could speak for CCR.    Now we have significantly grown.   It is now a season for us as a corporate body to begin discussions on how CCR can partner with KCC and CSR to build schools and youth cultural and sports facilities.

Our fourth point in our CCR Action Plan is to continue sponsorship of students to attend secondary and university.   In 2012 – 2013 CCR will sponsor up to 10 Female Students based upon need and academic success to attend FAWE School and if they qualify for a university scholarship facilitate their living expenses. We will also sponsor up to 10 students regardless of gender but based upon their academic success and participation at CCR will be sponsored to attend secondary school and university.   This will necessitate an increase in our giving.  

Our fifth point in our CCR Action Plan is to continue youth programs such as concerts, dramas, teaching moral values, and sports.

Finally, our seventh point in our CCR Action Plan is to continue in partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of Gender and Family and National Child Commission the Spoken For program of fostering Orphans and Vulnerable Children in families until these children can either be re-united with their extended family or adopted.   Our families can do this.   We can be the first place that is called when a child falls into a vulnerable situation.     This is representing that CCR is a bible based church.   The most biblical response to OVC is adoption.   Every child has a right to be in a loving family.

Before we held our AGM I repeatedly read both the Bible and our CCR Constitution.   Our constitution allows for CCR to grow across the borders of Rwanda with a vote of 2/3 approval in our AGM.   On Saturday, 5 May CCR chose in our AGM to commission our former senior pastor, Dave Jenkins and his family to become our missionaries to Great Lakes Diaspora in the United States of America.     As such they will preach the Gospel; promote unity across ethnic, race, generational, and national barriers; and seek out partnerships to facilitate CCR’s future growth.

Thank you.   Our family will go to the USA with your blessing and commissioning.

For our family we have spent 19 years in Africa’s Great Lakes.  If you include Jana’s childhood it is 29 years.   This is home.   The only way we can conceptualize leaving is to go as missionaries.   

In Christmas 2009 Jana and I discovered a ministry niche that gave us a similar passion as they day Angelina Muganza asked for someone to start an English speaking church with a good children’s program.   We looked up old friends we had not seen in years from our Uganda days who lived in my home villages of Minnesota.   We had lunch with two.   We had dinner with another two.  Dinner was classic for our region.   By the time it was over we had 20 more people at home.   My friends had produced 3 children, brought over a few relatives, and gathered their network.   I asked how many other Ugandans lived in Minnesota and was shocked to find out it was 30,000.   Then my friends disclosed that though they had a Kiganda name one was a Munyarwanda.   The others were from Western Uganda and had relatives and friends in Kigali.   Our region socially intersects frequently.    As I visited with my old friends I found they had done well academically, professionally, and economically.   Yet, they struggled to socially adjust to America.   Also, while they were deeply spiritual people they had yet to find a church that was like home.    Jana and I walked away sensing God would call us in the future to serve Great Lakes Diaspora for a season in the USA.   

We have learned not to make overly detailed plans.  God directs the details of our path.   Yet, we move forward sensing His leading.   It is our plan as we arrive in a few weeks in Chicago to do the basic tasks of missionaries.   We will meet as many of your family and friends in the USA as possible.   We will join or start fellowship groups.   We will listen well to hopes.   We will look for opportunities to serve.   It is our hope that our season in the USA will be brief.  It is our hope that not only will we help Great Lakes Diaspora thrive in the USA, but our presence will encourage them to return to our region with resources, ideas, and their very presence to build for our children’s future.

Now as I have finished the discussion of our CCR Handover People and Plan allow me to discuss five Handover Principles.   The overarching theme is that God is the CCR Hero.   Please do not make me or any other man the CCR Hero.

As we face the awkward Acts 29 transitions here are 5 enduring Handover Principles.   

First,   God’s people thrive when they are led by a vision bearing pastor.  

 God’s word says,  ^“Moses said to the Lord,  ‘May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community  to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.’ 

So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.  He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.’

Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly (Numbers 27:15-22).”

                Does this sound familiar?   A community is experiencing a transition and a fear is that they will be left like sheep without a shepherd.   History shows that sometimes this happens.   Even some in a season of transition will use the awkward moments to manipulate a community for selfish purposes.   The answer is that current leaders must equip and appoint new leaders.   Then God will work through new leaders, and our community will be shepherded.   

                I am confident Brett is our new CCR Vision Bearing Pastor.   I am also confident that our CCR youth have great leadership potential which will be nurtured.   You are not left like sheep without a shepherd.

Second, God’s people thrive when they examine the teaching / preaching to confirm its truth.  We must have a Vision Bearer to prosper.   He must lead by teaching God’s word.   We must examine the teaching.   

As the master missionary, the apostle Paul reached the city of Berea Luke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11.)”

I hope this is not my pride, but you should be aware that I believe the best bible preaching that can be found within 1,000 miles of Kigali happens at CCR.   We have an exceptionally gifted group of leaders who teach and preach here.    You will hear different styles and types of illustrations.  Yet I always hear men who have labored with God’s word to find the best possible application for our contemporary situation.    You should expect this to continue and hold our leaders accountable to be good bible teachers.

One of my more delightful moments of the last year has been walking through our estate and being greeted with the phrase, “Pastor, can we talk?”

Yes, of course we can talk.

All of you have made me a better preacher.   You have asked questions, found holes in my sermons, and helped our whole community become wiser.    Please keep doing this.

Third God’s people thrive when they confidently submit to their leaders.   An accountable leader can lead with joy.  

God’s word says, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you (Hebrews 13:17.)”

History shows that during times of leadership transition there are usually some who gather seeking an opportunity to manipulate.   When the leadership is good it holds the course of vision.   It is not easy to manipulate good leaders.   Some will murmur about our new CCR leaders.   Some will portray them as not as good as the previous.   Yet God’s Word teaches that those who are called by God to lead a local church have spiritual authority.    Their labor should be a joy.   Their teaching and nurture of all of you should bring them the pleasures of earth.   Yet, if there are some who murmur about them and even stir rebellion their joy will be fleeting.   In such circumstances they will not nurture you as well as they can.   Their time and energy is sapped.

Remember your leaders are accountable to God.   Hold them accountable to teach God’s word.   Then allow them to lead.

 Fourth God’s people thrive when they financially support their church and leaders.  If you have time read 1 Corinthians 9:1-23.  It is a bit lengthy for our time.

The theme is repeated in 1Timothy 5:17-18.   Paul writes, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.  For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”

During the early days of a church plant finances require for the initial pastors to come with their own support.   Many matters that should be properly the expenses of the church are paid from pastor’s pockets.   Paul did this in his early church plants.  It is just the cost of being a church planting pastor.   However, as time goes on a church must mature in its giving, financial management, and pastoral support.

I should have given CCR more order than I did during my tenure as Senior Pastor.   In the coming months you will hear our CCR Treasurer and other leaders explain our budget.   You will hear a need to increase our giving.   You will hear sermons and teaching whose point will be that we must give more.    When this happens do not murmur about the “new regime,” and wish for my return.    I endorse fully more Bible teaching on giving at CCR and the pragmatic expectation for CCR to have more financial resources.   This is simply God’s teaching and plan for the church.

Fifth, God’s people thrive when they take each day’s opportunity to do good things.   As Handover is completed you will notice different pastoral styles and priorities.   Over the last few months I’ve tried to do less.   Than at times I decided let me set one last example.    You will notice some things I have done will not continue.   

God’s word states in James 4:16-17, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

If you see something at CCR that has brought you joy and nurture that is not being continued it is your responsibility to continue doing it.   If you see something that has brought others joy and nurture that is not being continued it is your responsibility to continue it.

Hold your pastors accountable for three things.   Are they acting like your friends?  Are they praying with and for you?   Are they teaching God’s word?   One of my favorite writers on pastoring, David Hansen writes that pastoring comes down to just these three practices – friendship, prayer, and bible teaching.    The organizational order of the church that pastors give is just a reflection of these three holy habits.   

After friendship, prayer, and teaching it is your corporate responsibility to nurture CCR.

I print a bulletin each week.   I think it makes my sermon easier to understand and communicates clearly what is happening at CCR.   Our pastors don’t need to print a weekly bulletin.   If you want this to continue just be in touch with our pastors to let them know you would like to take this responsibility.

There are some traditions I’ve developed at CCR.   There are some traditions that bring me so much joy I will endure the uncomfortable for a few hours to days.

I enjoy the look on little boy’s faces as they walk up the CCR steps on Palm Sunday.   I enjoy when they realize that CCR is full of leaves and sticks, and they can play with them as an act of worship.   For this earthly joy I spend a portion of my Saturday before Palm Sunday and early morning hours of Palm Sunday decorating.    Next year, our pastors do not need to do this.   I recommend if Palm Sunday brings you joy that a group of you gather the Saturday afternoon and decorate.   We can do this in a better way if we do it as a community.

I also enjoy the look on mum’s faces when we give each one a rose on Mother’s Day.   Our pastors do not need to do this next year.   A small group of CCR men can easily buy flowers on Saturday and give them to children to distribute on Sunday.    

You will see many more opportunities than this to do good.   Our city is full of opportunities to build and bless.  

I am confident in our new CCR leaders.   I am confident in Action Plan.   I am confident in all of you.   Most of all I am confident “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6.)”

May God bless all of you.