Commissioning Service

Today was our commissioning service.

Can I begin by first saying that the praise set was amazing?!  (Shout out to our very own Nate!)  All I have to say is "Hail to the King" and then Starfield's "Unashamed".  Opened the floodgates even with my stone-cold heart. :]

So PR has been going through a series on missions and today he preached on the Father's heart.  I was reminded of God's grace and the privilege we as believers have as we have already received forgiveness.  In Luke 15, the shepherd leaves his flock of 99 sheep to find his one lost sheep, the woman overturns her home to find her one lost coin, and they both rejoice when they find what was lost. 

When the prodigal son comes home, his father, regardless of all of his son's selfishness and sin, rejoices.  But we were challenged to shift perspective a little bit on that parable and think: What would Jesus do?  Wouldn't he go out, leaving his "99 sheep" and overturning his "house", to find his lost son/brother.  I was convicted.  Let's be like Jesus.  Instead of waiting for those to come to us, can we instead go and search out the lost?

Our commissioning service began with a video presentation.  Our very talented and diligent leader and videographer, Jeff, has been so faithful in preparing videos to share with our church and partners.  This is a major part of our vision and purpose on this mission trip.  Jeff will be preparing two videos-- one to document and learn from the church-planting efforts we will partake in and another to encourage participation in mid-term missions.

Then, we encouraged our church and senders with a body worship presentation to the "Lord's Prayer" song.  Here we are!

Finally, we shared (and acted out) how our medical clinics will run.

All in all, an awesome commissioning service.
Thank you supporters again for all of your continued prayers.
19 hours until departure!