Grow With Us - FBCW

Jesus continually put himself on display and we had the honor of...

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 11:45:22 -0400

Jesus continually put himself on display and we had the honor of watching him work.

Thank you all for adding the soundtrack to God’s story in Honduras.

Mike

Cody getting searched half a dozen times, copious amounts of BBQ...

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 20:02:00 -0400

Cody getting searched half a dozen times, copious amounts of BBQ Beef, and even MORE Euchre.

Just another day of travel with the team.

Honduras '12 - Day 7

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 01:18:01 -0400

It’s hard to believe that this week is coming to an end. Christ has put himself on display in ways that will forever bring memories of awe. Hearts awakened to the truth of the gospel, tears of joy knowing that grace is real, smiles of children at gifts of love, bright eyes of wonder when disciples reach out to image bearers of God, and friendships based on faith alone that will never be fully realized until heaven.

This morning we took a tour of the bible college on top of the mountain. Such a joy to be with these servants.

Then we journeyed into San Pedro to a market for some cultural exposure and single handedly stimulating the pure vanilla extract industry by depleting the available reserves.

This evening we put on a feast for the Faith Home kids. Hundreds of pizza slices filled bellies, a river of soda pop flowed down every throat, and a sugar high was had by all. It was a small glimpse of the feast around the table of saints were we will all tell stories of Christ’s work in and through us for eternity.

The gospel was portrait through our team in a beautiful picture of how scripture defines a deacon.

diakonos is a servant, and often a table-servant, or waiter.

This evening food, drink, and grace was served by a group of disciples filled with affection for Christ and his children.

In the morning we will begin out trek home, praying that Jesus will use us in the boredom of travel.

Mike

Honduras '12 - Day 6

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 01:29:21 -0400

Today was our final day of church distributions. Our first was at El Banano, a community next to a Chiquita banana plantation.

The second was at La Pimienta. This church has moved in the community since last year and is in the middle of constructing their new building. It was the hottest location of the trip, but still an amazing time of watching Christ shine in the eyes of his children.

7th Distribution for the team. This community is full of people...

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 11:15:08 -0400

7th Distribution for the team. This community is full of people who work on the local Chiquita Banana plantation.

Honduras '12 - Day 5

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:25:22 -0400

We awoke dragging a bit as a team, but that quickly passes. A well oiled machine we are….. (that should be read out loud in the voice of Yoda). Today found us at two churches we went to last year. Both have seen some great changes in their meeting places, standing out in the community as places of hope.

At Emmanuel, the team worshipped with a community that last year felt hostile to our presence. This trip, God awakened 7 hearts to the glory of his name right before our eyes. Words can’t express the awe of watching tears of Repentence and Joy flow down a grandmother’s face as her eyes are opened. I love when Jesus puts himself on display like that, knowing it was all Him and not a bit of those 7’s or our effort.

After serving over 30 families at Villa Italia, the team took a walk through the town, and of course picked up some local flavor:)

Tomorrow is our last two church distributions. The week is coming to a close rapidly, so pray for our energy, our ability to serve well, and for lives to be changed by Christ’s gift of grace.

Mike

First church of the day. We are a well oiled machine now:) 7...

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:29:02 -0400

First church of the day. We are a well oiled machine now:)

7 stepped into eternity after God awakened their hearts.

Honduras '12 - Day 4

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 01:27:20 -0400

Wow…. What a day! Honestly, my tank is running on empty, so tonight’s post is void of pithiness but inspired by Hope in Christ!!

Loading up the trailer & bus after breakfast is job #1

Our first stop of the day.

Stop #2 = La Sabana

Finishing up the night was the entire team worshiping with the kids of Faith. Cody preached, the kids did an activity, and then the hugs commenced:)

Pray for us to rest well and then serve well in the morning,

I’m going to sleep:)

Mike

All set up and ready to go at La Sabanna Church. 50+ families...

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:53:26 -0400

All set up and ready to go at La Sabanna Church. 50+ families today in a church that had knocked out a wall for expansion since last year.

Christ is being proclaimed in this community and lives are being changed. We are so honored to be part of God’s story in this place.

Mike

Honduras '12 - Day 3

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 02:27:03 -0400

Like anything else in ministry and life in general, you must learn to roll with the punches and adapt. Today we began our journey to the first church, via a stop for gas. It is common to see guard/sniper towers at gas stations to prevent pump and dash crimes from occurring. Not a big deal really, just a bit unnerving at first sight.

Soon after topping off, the bus made a loud hissing sound and billowed thick black smoke from the exhaust. Upon inspection, and Cody’s Power Team inspired mechanic wizardry, the bus was repaired……… Ok, Jeff Howell came up with a hose clamp outa nowhere, and we were on our way.

Our first stop was Emmanuel Church, which is located in a squatters community, with often primitive dwellings even by Honduran standards. The Gospel was proclaimed, 6 lives were changed for eternity, and God was lifted high.
Afterwards, we began to pour blessing & relief on some precious image bearers of God.

After lunch, we headed just down the road from Faith Home to the community of El Barro. After a short hike there, we got back into our rhythm of setting up and supporting the amazing Kingdom Work being done by the church planters.

It’s hard to describe the Roller Coater of emotions that flow through each member of the team. The living conditions may be a shock, but the joy of smiling children leads to laughter. The heat of cramped space is stifling, but the wind of hope in Christ, in the church is refreshing. Weary muscles from lifting and organizing, but a desire to serve all who seek a touch from the hands & feet of our Lord.

I was reminded of a quote from the “Prince of Preachers” today, as I watched old and new friends on this team shine the glory of God.

We serve Christ out of affection because of what he’s done & is doing for his children. On the cross he proved his love for us and then promises to actively prune us in our sanctification.

As we move in obedience to the great commission at each outreach location in Honduras, the Gospel is proclaimed to those who have never heard. In turn, we are slowly being transformed from one degree of glory to the next.

Mike

Second church of the day. El Barro, which is right beside Faith...

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:17:56 -0400

Second church of the day. El Barro, which is right beside Faith Home and where some kids who have graduated from Faith Home Live

First church we are serving, Emmanuel. This is a new one this...

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:42:29 -0400

First church we are serving, Emmanuel. This is a new one this year.

As it should be, the Gospel is proclaimed by the local pastor, and then we support his efforts by distributing clothes, food, toys, and Christ drenched affection.

Mike

Mike Berry: Honduras '12 -Day 2

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 02:24:51 -0400

Mike Berry: Honduras '12 -Day 2:

michaeleberry:

Today was an amazing day in Honduras! We saw the culmination of months of organizing, shopping, and gospel charged love of neighbor pour onto the church plant pastors. Thank you FBCW family and friends for blessing these pastoral families with bikes, clothes for the families, but most importantly…

Day 2 in Honduras… Pics work:)

Mike Berry: Honduras 2012 Day 1 - No One Wants Typical

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 00:21:04 -0400

Mike Berry: Honduras 2012 Day 1 - No One Wants Typical:

michaeleberry:

After hours of travel and hundreds of pounds of supplies carried through customs, the team arrived at our destination at Faith Home. Such a great testament of the Gospel moving in the lives of rescued children and the hearts of all who support Kingdom advancing work in this mountain valley.

Nothin but cards and blank stares as we wait to board a super...

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 09:14:33 -0400

Nothin but cards and blank stares as we wait to board a super cool flying machine to Honduras

We are reconciled to reconcile

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:16:56 -0400

We are reconciled to reconcile:

Thinking about gospel reconciliation in concentric circles, we are reconciled first to God in Christ, then to one another in covenant community, and third to what God is doing in the renewal of all creation. To put it another way, think of the gospel as a stone landing in a pond. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the cause of many ripples; they are the epicenter of God’s work in the world. The first ripple is our personal reconciliation to God. The second ripple establishes the body of Christ, as we are reconciled to each other. The third ripple is the missional posture of the church as we mobilize to proclaim the fullness of reconciliation in the gospel. In essence, we are reconciled to reconcile.

Why Honduras?

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:42:52 -0400

Why Honduras?:

Our team isn’t going just to pass out clothes, just to hand out a bag of food, or just to add a stamp to a passport.

We go to connect communities to a local church, that can saturate lives with the Gospel, fighting to prevent horrific tragedies of wicked sin found in this article.

Pray for Honduras, pray for helpless girls, and pray that the bride of Christ stands in the gap where all others are silent.

Mike

Sunday morning begins a three week series in Colossians ch.1...

Sat, 19 May 2012 10:53:18 -0400

Sunday morning begins a three week series in Colossians ch.1 called, Rooted in Christ.
We will be starting in Revelation 3 and land in Colossians 1:1-12….. Don’t worry, it may seem like an odd road to travel, but it will make sense Sunday morning. Colossians is the most Christ centered book of the bible, and a beacon call for us all to make Jesus first and supreme in all aspects of our lives.

Sunday night finds us in Matthew 18. The words of Christ in this part of the Gospel are directed at the church, how we are to hold each other accountable, protect each other from sin, and pour out grace that is shown to us from above.
The chapter is filled with some of the most misquoted and misused passages of scripture. My aim is to correct those mist aught and shine a spotlight on what Christ calls the church to be.

I’ve had a rich time in study this week, and can’t wait to share God’s Word tomorrow.
Mike

Journals That Aren't Diaries

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:46:42 -0400

Journals That Aren't Diaries

A Beautiful Burial

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:13:52 -0400

A Beautiful Burial