Local Living Links...

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, I gave a presentation on our calling to serve as missionaries with the Three Worlds team, specifically in the Netherlands.

In that presentation, I said that we Love the Local Church, wherever she is found, be that in the Netherlands, or be that wherever we may be visiting with for ministry partnership.

In the past few months (sorry for lack of posts---been a wee bit busy), we've had the privilege to visit with some of our Living Link congregations.

First, a brief explanation of "Living Link:" In short, Living Link is the Church of God program for supporting missionaries. An individual or a congregation signs on to be a Living Link partner with us, and they have a vital connection with our ministry. But in addition to just giving towards our support, they have a "Living Link" and are brought into relationship with us and are enabled to have more of a direct connection with our family and our ministry.

Secondly, we've been at three of our Living Link congregations, the first one in Germantown, OH; the second one in Pasadena, TX; and the third being Maple Grove Church of God in Anderson, IN.

                          This nice little town in SW Ohio houses a fabulous congregation: Germantown First Church of God. Beneath is a picture of our family with Pastor Steve Carney.

This congregation made a splash in our pond even as early as NAC, pledging to support us with their Faith Promise budget! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them one weekend in September, and are looking forward to a lengthy partnership!

We also have been sharing at another congregation that is quite near and dear to our hearts: Maple Grove Church of God in Anderson!

Maple Grove is a fabulous place to celebrate World Communion Sunday and be challenged and stimulated towards missions and all things Faith Promise! Okay, okay, we're a bit biased. :-) But look at it like this: It takes a special congregation to make room in their budget to continue financially supporting their pastor after he leaves them! That is exactly what Maple Grove is doing--After 7-8 years as their pastor, we are leaving...And they are continuing to support our ministry even when it's based in the Netherlands! What a gift for "Pastor Appreciation Month!" What a snapshot of Holy Love!

Notice the flag on the front Left side of the picture!

Picking up on the theme of Church of God Ministries for Faith Promise, Maple Grove is being reminded and encouraged this month: "The Church Has Left the Building..." to which Jesus says "Thank you...Thank you very much." (insert groan at bad Elvis joke here).

Before I mention the third congregation we've shared with recently, allow me to say briefly what it means to us to be supported in a Living Link relationship.

The World.

Literally. Our ministry in the Netherlands, to which God has called us and prepared us, literally cannot happen without individuals and congregations coming alongside us and entering into a Living Link relationship with us.

For those of you who have already done this, let me say to you one more time: "Thank You." Not only is this necessary for the starting up of this ministry, but it is vitally necessary for the long-term health and sustainability of this ministry. In the meantime, too, know that Living Link relationships really keep us going during this arduous task of raising support, all while balancing the many other responsibilities of Life, Work, and Parenthood.

If you are considering becoming a Living Link with us, please pray about this, and then click HERE.

In all seriousness, please e-mail us (address also to the right of this blog post); Contact Global Missions Office (dtaylor@chog.org); And/or forward this blog link on to your Pastor or Missions Team. If you go with this third option, please e-mail us too so we can follow up with them. We know how busy and inundated with information pastors can be.

Now as for that third congregation I promised to tell you about...

Parkgate Community Church in Pasadena (Houston), Texas really has been instrumental in getting us off the ground and keeping us encouraged through this process.

Their pastor, Jim, was just ahead of Dan in seminary. He not only gave us ample time to share about our ministry, he also entrusted the Sunday morning sermon to Dan. It was truly a joy to be with this congregation for a whirlwind of a weekend in early October, and we look forward to a lengthy partnership with them as we all follow God's call on our lives to share the Gospel and make Disciples as we go.

Such a whirlwind was this weekend that the only picture with Pastor Jim occurred as he was dropping us back off at the airport to head home to the Midwest!

This congregation not only brought us to them, hosted us in superb fashion (thanks Spillers!), pledged to be a Living Link with us, but they also really rolled out the red carpet by printing and displaying a huge picture of our family on their Faith Promise wall! Now if that doesn't make you feel special, I don't know what does! And no, for the record, I'm wearing different shirts. 

That's a glimpse into what we've been up to (in our spare time) to get this new ministry up and running. Thank you for your prayers during this time--we couldn't do it without them.

Thank you for your financial support as well-again, we couldn't do it without it.

Look for more updates soon!!!!

Until then, click HERE and wait for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to prompt you as to which button to click on!!

Northern Exposure

On Saturday August 11th, I made a short little drive up to Canada.

Canada, eh? Yep, Canada.

I was a guest in the home of Sieg & Margit Pudel for a few days before returning to holy ground that I first set foot on four years ago: Family Camp for the Church of God in Eastern Canada.

Sunday Aug. 12, I visited with the Hope Community Church of God in Brampton. This was a great way to experience Three Worlds. This congregation is very much an example of the Post-Modern, Post-Christian world.

In addition to being a diverse blend of folks from all around the world, they represent different ages and life experiences, too. This congregation assembles in a rented community center in a town center. Aside from the name, there is virtually nothing "Traditional World" about this congregation!

I shared with them about the Three-Worlds Team, and concept. And, of course, our journey towards Holland and the ministry that awaits us. For a run-down of those details, see here.

That afternoon, I visited Fairview Church of God in Toronto.

If you are thinking, "WOW--that building looks too good to be used by only one congregation," You are the Winner! In fact, this congregation rents space in this beautifully traditional property along with...SIX other congregations! See the "church sign" beneath!

The neat thing about this rental reality is that it allows a diverse swath of faith groups to worship in a "holy (set-apart)" place. What a picture of inclusion and unity! The Church of God meets for worship on Sunday afternoons @ 3 pm, with the leadership of Roger Bitner guiding them.

 

Here I am with Pastor Roger Bitner in their traditional worship space. For those of you familiar with Maple Grove, I felt right at home in this beautiful space! I had a great time getting to know Roger and his wife Deanna better, and they made me feel welcome in Toronto.

But perhaps the coolest feature of time with this congregation (the icing on the cake) is the congregation itself. While worshipping in a Traditional setting, this congregation epitomizes both the other worlds of Christianity: a Post-modern Post Christendom world and a Non-Western world.

This congregation illustrates the Post-modern Post-Christendom world in that they don't go the traditional route of having their own property (with all the joys and burdens that entails...), but rather they are more of a Church without walls, sort of. :-)

Additionally, though, I mentioned this congregation is Non-Western. The vast majority of this congregation are immigrants from Sri Lanka! If you do not stay abreast of global news, here are a few links to learn more about the plight of Sri Lankans.

Compassion International Blog Posts in Sri Lanka.

BBC Report from April 2011.

BBC Country Profile.

In addition to the Sri Lankan flavour to the blend of this excellent congregation, there were Americans, Canadians, Indians, South Koreans and Chinese mixed in. 

This was truly a microcosm of God's Church!

What a beautiful mix of folks assembled not because of identical cultural, political or preferential reasons, but rather assembled under the one banner of God's Beloved Church.

If you can't tell, I really enjoyed worshipping with this congregation. I shared with them during the conclusion of their VBS program about the importance of Following Jesus as he leads you. No matter how scary or intimidating or sacrificial that may seem, God will provide for you and God will look out for you, for "he has plans to give us Hope and a Future."

One more thing that made time with this congregation such a treat....FOOD! I'm a sucker for potluck times of fellowship (Surprise!), and they didn't let me down.

My first "StopLight" Sandwich. Yum-yum.

Thank you, Fairview Church of God, for allowing me to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Monday, I made my way to the Family Camp @ Maple Grove. A good time was had by one and all as Steve Rennick brought very challenging and encouraging Words from the Lord.

I was extended great hospitality by my brothers and sisters, especially the Pudels and Wiebes (and Aunt Linda). In addition to personal conversations, I was privileged to share a presentation on behalf of both the Church of God Peace Fellowship and Kihms3w!

Fund times at Camp...

In the spirit of the Olympics, let me talk in "Olympic lingo." Here's the game. I will put all sorts of subtle references to "Olympics" in this blog post. As you read, make note of what some of them may be. Answers will be revealed at the end.

So, the biggest hurdle between our family and the work awaiting us in the Netherlands...is the good ole' dollar.

As in, we need some. :-)

In order for us to stay on track to leave by mid-2013, we need to raise a whole heap of cash.

This process has certainly set out to test our medal.

If you as an individual or congregation would like to contribute towards our ministry, here is a link to do so. Or to the right side of this blog, you will also find the same link. We will gladly accept gold, silver, or bronze.

In an effort to get our crew known and inform the masses about what we are doing, I (Daniel) have started on the Camp Mtg. Circuit.

In the Church of God Reformation Movement, historically the "Camp Meeting" is a pretty important thing. It's a physical time and place for the Church to gather. New believers come to faith in Christ, Individuals with various illnesses and sicknesses receive Healing, People feel the calling of God to enter into various types of ministry.

Believe it or not, the Camp Meeting still has a prominent role in the life of the Church. Most states or regions of the Church of God host annual camps. This past weekend, I visited the Whitehall Camp in Western Pennsylvania.

This camp has great meaning to me, as it is the place where so many of my great friends grew up in faith. Even before I personally knew a thing about the Church of God or its heritage or theology, my college roommate had told me countless stories of how his faith had been shaped at a place called "Whitehall."

Several other close friends and fellow AU classmates also grew up at this camp. It was a place full of great importance and influence to them, and in an indirect manner, it also became one such place in my life.

While at Whitehall this past weekend, the State Pastor (Rebecca New-Edson) introduced me in a brief interview in the Sunday evening service, and I was given the opportunity to share in many private conversations with folks about the work of "Kihms3W."

Beginning tomorrow morning, I will be at the Springfield, OHIO, Camp Meeting for a few days.

During this time, I will at the very least have the opportunity to share in a Missions Conference about 3 Worlds, and about our calling to be a part of this vital ministry. I am quite excited about what the Lord has in store for this camp meeting, as optimism and hospitality have already been extended.

The biggest downside about these "fund times at Camp" is the split-up-ness of Kihms3W. Christy and Sofie missed out on the Whitehall experience, and are going to miss out on the Springfield experience. By the way, for those counting, tomorrow marks 4 weeks of life for Sofie girl! She is proving to be quite the little champion. She likes gymnastics. Handball, not so much.

In addition to praying for us, you can help support us by clicking on this link and contributing financially towards our ministry. But you can also help by sharing us with your pastor and missions leader. Forward this blog to them, or contact us with their name and address and we'll send them some info.

Now, for those of you counting Olympic lingo, here's a rundown:
Olympics (obviously...), hurdle, track, medal, gold, silver, bronze, crew, circuit, physical, four, champion, gymnastics, handball. Did I miss any? Also, apologies for the cheesiness, but get used to it!

THREE WORLDS...Explained, Part Two...

By now, you've heard and seen "Three Worlds" a number of times.


Hopefully you read my earlier blog post beginning to explain "Three Worlds."


Let me continue explaining this revolutionary approach to missions.

In addition to having an in-built system of support and accountability (our Three Worlds Team), we will be living and working within three very different worlds of Christian faith.

And no, I don't mean "Catholics, Baptists, and Church of God folks."


The three worlds of Christian faith are these:


1.) The Traditional Church


2.) The Post-modern/Post-Christendom Church

                             and

3.) The Non-Western/Acts 2 Church

The Traditional Church is the Church in which I was raised, and (largely) the Church in which I have ministered over the past decade. This is the Church that is established and accepted in its local context. People understand you when you say, "I'm going to Church," and they don't automatically look down upon you for doing so. This is the Church that still (largely) exists in the MidWest of the USA. But it is on the decline as the society around it continues to evolve and morph into something other than Mayberry (RIP Sheriff Taylor).

The Post-Modern/Post-Christendom Church is the Church in which we will largely be working in Europe. It is the Church that struggles to exist and maintain its identity as distinctive and holy in the midst of an ever-encroaching surrounding culture of Secularism. The culture around this Church is no longer understanding and accepting of the Church. People are less likely to understand you when you say "I'm going to Church," and if they do, in light of scandals and the ongoing science-faith battle, they are more inclined to look down upon you or write you off as uneducated. This Church has a struggle on its hands to make inroads with the surrounding culture(s) and display the Church to be something positive and something worthwhile in the 21st Century.

The Non-Western, or Acts 2, Church is the Church that is largely comprised of new believers, many from outside "the West," and many who don't struggle to reconcile Christian faith with their historical culture. Faith is easy for this Church and they have little difficulty believing in a supernatural God who works in ways Science and Reason cannot make sense of.

I want to be very clear about something.

All THREE of these expressions of the Church are right.

The issue is not that one's better than the other, and we're trying to support just that one while quietly allowing the other two to fade into oblivion. That's not the case at all! The reality is that since all three exist, we must seek to support and strengthen all three, and allow the Spirit to continue to blow as it will.

Within the context of the Netherlands, and Europe/TME, Christy and I (and Sofie...) will be forced to operate within and minister to all three of these different worlds of Christian faith regularly.

In addition to doing this because it is what the Lord has called us to do, and in addition to supporting and equipping specifically the "Post-Christendom" Church because they need help navigating their secular culture while maintaining their distinctive, holy (Gk.: "set-apart") faith, let me tell you one more reason why what we are going to do is important.

The Traditional Church of Today is the Post-Modern/Post-Christendom Church of Tomorrow.

With the de-evolution of Mayberry here in the MidWest (USA), for example, the Role of, the Identity of, and the Importance of the Church is ever changing as well.

Hopefully what we will experience, and the responsive methods we will develop can be effective in ministering to the Post-Christendom Church of Today in Europe/TME. And hopefully this experience can better lead us to help guide the Post-Christendom Church of Tomorrow, which is currently the Traditional Church of Today.

Stay Tuned for Part Three of Three Worlds Explained.

Introducing Sofie Rose Kihm!

Friends, please meet our new daughter!!!

Sofie Rose Kihm was born on Wednesday 11 July 2012 @ St. John's Hospital in Anderson, IN.

She weighed in at 8 lb. 4 oz., measuring 21 inches. Mom and Baby are both doing great.

We look forward to introducing our sweet daughter to the goodness of the Lord and the people of God.

Tenth Anniversary: DEpendence Day

Ten Years Ago, right now, where were you at? What were you doing?

I'll forever remember exactly where I was on 4 July 2002.

I was in Evert, MI, working at Spring Hill Camp. Lunch had finished, and I had gone with my 7th grade boys to the Activity Field.

Ten years ago, almost to this exact minute, I was lying on the field writhing in agony, unable to move my left leg.

Two surgeries and innumerable PT sessions later, here I am: Ten years removed from shattering my left kneecap.

I wasn't doing anything reckless. I wasn't doing anything dangerous. I was simply running across a field when my quadricep muscles randomly overpowered my left patella and snapped it in two.

And, to be realistically dramatic, my life was changed forevermore.

The remainder of that summer saw me lying on a bed allowing my knee to heal, not bending it or putting any weight on my left leg. I was given ample time to wrestle with God, a la Jacob.

"WHY did this happen to me?!" While that is fodder for much longer writings, allow me to simply say that one thing I learned from this experience is my complete Dependence on God.

While I have experienced much discomfort, pain, inability, random swelling, etc. in my left knee, I rejoice that I have healed to the point that I have, and I am able to do infinitely more than the surgeons told me I'd ever be able to again do.

And every year since, on this day when so many of my friends and family light things on fire and celebrate "Independence," I (quite cautiously, sedentarily, and thankfully) celebrate "Dependence."

In John's Gospel, Jesus says these words: "Apart from me, you can do nothing." While this application is  not exactly what he meant, nevertheless for me there is truth in this statement. I can do nothing apart from God. I am nothing apart from God.

I challenge you on this day to reflect on the importance of God in your life, and to give thanks unto the Creator God for blessing you with all that you are and have.

If I could go back in time ten years, amongst lots of other lessons and warnings, I'd tell my 22 year-old self these reminders: "Be safe. And no matter what, remember that God is with you."

THREE WORLDS...Explained, Part One...

By now, you've probably heard Christy and I say "Three Worlds" this and "Three Worlds" that a number of times.


I know some of you are quite familiar with "Three Worlds," and others, not so much.


HERE is a link to the website for Three Worlds. (I've actually put many links in the above lines, so happy clicking--All roads lead to Oz).


In a nutshell, aside from our specific responsibilities in The Netherlands, we will be a part of the Three Worlds Team.


What this means is that we will be functioning alongside the other Church of God Missionaries working in the region of "Europe & The Middle East." We will be a built-in support and accountability system for one another. Thus, none of us will be working in Isolation.


This is a very healthy method of doing ministry. However, if you have experience in ministry, or are familiar with ministers, chances are you will readily agree that this is sadly quite unusual!


Over the past 7 years of serving as a Senior Pastor in Anderson, IN, I've known entirely too many ministers who experience burn-out, frustration, and develop unhealthy outlets for stress (or suffer unhealthy results of stress). In addition to personal fizzling-out, this wreaks havoc on families. And congregations. And further contributes to a negative view of Christ and the Church.


Part of the Team-based approach of Three Worlds is intended to curb these typical results, and prolong the health of the individual ministers in the region as well as the congregations we will be serving.


Stay Tuned for Part Two of Three Worlds Explained.