Rob Wegner: Blog Archive

Video Update from GCC India Team!

One word: unbelievable.

Backstory: The people of this village are Irula. Irula is a scheduled tribe in India. Let me explain. You have the castes, then actually BELOW the castes are the scheduled tribes.  The high caste, Brahmans, are taught they are the people spawned from the tops of the heads of the gods.  The Irula are taught that they are the people spawned from the bottom of the feet of the gods.  They are literally "dirt" underneath the feet of the gods.

This same elder who you just watched be baptized said to our team last December, "Irula literally means 'people of the darkness.'  That is who we have been for centuries. But no longer are we the 'people of darkness,' now we are 'THE PEOPLE OF LIGHT!'"

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

1 +166 + 39,000 = 4700 Miracles

1 year + 166 new churches + 39,000 on-going spiritual conversations = 4700 lives transformed by Amazing Grace. This is what a move of God looks like.

One Prayer India Update - ROCK FORT from Gene Ort on Vimeo.

Haiti Update – The Poor Are Not Helpless

Check out this email I received a few days ago from Dustin Holliday, one of the revolutionaries in the current batch of EnterMission Coaching. He is leading the charge in missional expression at Christian Fellowship Church.  They are a force to be reckoned with!  They’re seeding the ground for a holistic church planting movement in Nicaragua.  Enjoy this report from the frontline.

Get this one boys...

So we are down in Nicaragua hosting the Purpose Driven Church with Verbo as from the Bore Well model. I share with Pastor Earl about how Christian Fellowship Church had fund raising to fill a container through Stop Hunger Now with 142,000 meals to send to Haiti. Earl says that since we are in a church to church partnership then Verbo should help with our outreach too. With the 105 core members/leaders that were in the conference he cast the vision that since God had so blessed them with relief after Hurricane Felix in 2007 that they should all ask God what part they will play.

It essentially breaks down to 25cents a meal. That astonished the Nicaraguans.

Long story short, out of the 105 people in attendance they gave enough to purchase just over 1700 meals!!! One guy testified that he used three days worth of his own food money to buy meals for Nicaragua. He said he could be hungry for three days when Haitians were starving!

God is so huge. His church cannot be stopped.

--Dustin

Amazing.

Let this remind us that the poor ARE NOT helpless.

They are more than capable of working to improve their lives and the lives of others. They are powerful. They have gifts and talents and abilities we do not have.

The approach of most western church is to do things to the poor instead of with the poor. (Don’t misunderstand me. There are crisis situations where we must immediately do things to and for the poor. But, this is a very short window.)

In most cases, by taking this approach, we hurt the very people that we are trying to help.  This approach creates the feeling of inferiority, paralyzes indigenous leadership, and  marginalizes the poor.

This dynamic has been playing out all over the developing world. Which is why William Easterly in his book, White Man’s Burden says,

“The real tragedy isn’t that we aren’t giving more money. The real tragedy is that the West spent $2.3 trillion on foreign aid over the last five decades and still has not managed to get 12-cent medicines to children to prevent half of all malaria deaths. The West spent $2.3 trillion and still had not managed to get $4 bed nets to poor families. The West spent $2.3 trillion and still had not managed to get $3 to each new mother to prevent five million child deaths."

If we only do things “for” the poor, we are often exacerbating the problem and pouring resources into a bottomless pit.

Interventions that invite the poor into the design and implementation of the intervention can actually END poverty by getting at the root, not just the symptoms.

The government and the church have such a long history of colonialistic and paternal approaches that lead the poor to believe they cannot do anything without the help of money and resources from others.

Not so for Verbo and this new movement in Nicaragua!

What Does An Unstoppable Movement Look Like?

What does an unstoppable movement look like?  Watch this.  A Tale of Two Kingdoms Part 3

A Tale of Two Kingdoms Part 3 An Eternal Kingdom from Gene Ort on Vimeo.

Saved Souls and Saved Wholes

Two of our team members, Jack Magruder and Gene Ort, recently returned from field visits to the One Prayer Church Planting movement in Cambodia and India.   Our team was there to observe the One Prayer church planters in action and to assess the physical needs of the communities these new churches are planted within.

These baby churches are growing at an astounding pace. Reminiscent of the early church in the book of Acts, new people are coming to faith every day.

As we celebrate the new souls saved, simultaneously our hearts break over the poverty which oppresses these communities.

Jesus is not just for saved souls, but saved wholes: mind, body, and soul.

This year One Prayer is expanding beyond church planting into holistic community development initiatives in these villages, bringing “up there” down here.

Watch for more video updates about this grass roots revolution. This first intallment will introduce you to the sights and sounds of Cambodia and India.

One Prayer Update Episode 1 from Gene Ort on Vimeo.

What Do These Two Have In Common?

Last night before I went to bed, my friends who are currently in Cambodia, sent me a One Prayer update video.  This morning my favorite person shared a another video with me. The similarity and alchemy between the two diverse videos made me literally laugh and cry with joy. 

I hope you have the same experience.

What do these two videos have in common?  It will take about 7 minutes to find out.  Let me know what you discover.

BAPTISM IN CAMBODIA QUICK OVERVIEW from Gene Ort on Vimeo.

$448,576.32

We are extremely excited to announce for the first time publically to the One Prayer Network, that together, we have raised a total of $448,576.32 for the One Prayer movement! 

That is almost half of a million dollars used specifically to plant churches in limited access countries, to disciple new believers and to radically change the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.  We are truly honored by the sacrifice of the One Prayer churches during this difficult financial season for many. 

Already since the first run of One Prayer two years ago…over (wait for it)…1800 NEW CHURCHES HAVE BEEN PLANTED in China, Sudan, Cambodia, and India!

If you’ve been reading these One Prayer updates and thinking, “I wish I could meet some of these amazing men and woman of God firsthand. I wish I could experience what God is doing on the frontline of the Great Commission.”

I have great news. You can.  We have put together opportunities for you to travel to each of the One Prayer sites.  Please see the information below on how to participate on one of the trips:

India

• Dates: March 5-14, 2010
• Cost: $3000 *Includes travel to and from India (from Chicago, IL) as well as your Indian visa. Also includes meals, lodging, travel insurance and all other expenses while in India. We will be taking care of all arrangements as well as preparing you for what you will experience in India.
• What will I be doing? Visiting church planters and churches that have been formed through the One Prayer network, and also be able to take notes on training processes and success of the overall implementation.
• Why should I go? To experience first-hand what God is doing through the network of churches in India and to witness the impact that you and your church have had...as well as to communicate that impact to your church body, once you return.
• Immunizations/Vaccinations: The list below are recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Although we are listing the recommendations, we encourage you to check with your physician prior to making any final decisions regarding immunizations, asthese are only "suggestions."
• Hepatitis A & B,  Typhoid, Anti-malaria meds,  Tetanus immunization within last 5 years, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, and Adult Polio
• Passport/Visa Information: Passport Required: YES/* At the time of the trip your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration. Visa Required: YES/*More details will be provided once your application is submitted.
• To Apply (Go to the following link):http://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/121053
• Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 5, 2010
• For More Information: Contact Jeanna Tripp at jtripp@gccwired.com or 574.243.3500, ext. 318.

China

• Dates: April 15 - 23, 2010
• Cost: $3400 *Includes travel to and from China (from Chicago, IL) as well as your Chinese visa. Also includes meals, lodging, travel insurance and all other expenses while in China. We will be taking care of all arrangements as well as preparing you for what you will experience in China.
• What will I be doing? Visiting church planters and churches that have been formed through the One Prayer network, and also be able to take notes on training processes and success of the overall implementation.
• Why should I go? To experience first-hand what God is doing through the network of churches in China and to witness the impact that you and your church has had...as well as to communicate that impact to your church body, once you return.
• Immunizations/Vaccinations: The list below are recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Although we are listing the recommendations, we encourage you to check with your physician prior to making any final decisions regarding immunizations, asthese are only "suggestions."
• Hepatitis A & B,  Typhoid, Anti-malaria meds,  Tetanus immunization within last 5 years, Japanese encephalitis, & Rabies            
• Passport/Visa Information: Passport Required: YES/* At the time of the trip your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration.  Visa Required: YES/*More details will be provided once your application is submitted.
• To Apply: http://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/121054
• Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
• For More Information: Contact Jeanna Tripp at jtripp@gccwired.com or 574.243.3500, ext. 318.

Sudan

• Dates: May 22 - 28, 2010
• Cost: $3400 *Includes travel to and from Sudan (from Chicago, IL) as well as your Sudanese visa. Also includes meals, lodging, travel insurance and all other expenses while in Sudan. We will be taking care of all arrangements as well as preparing you for what you will experience in Sudan.
• What will I be doing? Visiting church planters and churches that have been formed through the One Prayer network, and also be able to take notes on training processes and success of the overall implementation.
• Why should I go? To experience first-hand what God is doing through the network of churches in Cambodia and to witness the impact that you and your church have had...as well as to communicate that impact to your church body, once you return.
• Immunizations/Vaccinations: The list below are recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Although we are listing the recommendations, we encourage you to check with your physician prior to making any final decisions regarding immunizations, asthese are only "suggestions."
• Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Anti-malaria meds, Tetanus immunization within last 5 years, Rabies, Yellow Fever, Meningococcal (meningitis), & Adult Polio   
• Passport/Visa Information:  Passport Required: YES/* At the time of the trip your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration. Visa Required: YES/*More details will be provided once your application is submitted.
• To Apply (Go to the following link):http://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/121055
• Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
• For More Information: Contact Jeanna Tripp at jtripp@gccwired.com or 574.243.3500, ext. 318.

idochurchonline.com

Online church is an exploding phenomenon. One article claims, "At least 35 churches, among them some of the best known in America, are doing internet Campuses with more jumping on board all the time. By one estimate, as early as 2010, 10% of Americans will rely solely on the internet for their “religious experience.”

Some people are opposed to any kind of "virtual" experience of church.  I understand their concerns. If virtual church becomes an end in and of itself, it will be dangerous. Virtual community/church can not and must not replace real world community/church.  

Yet, every week, GCC has hundreds and most weeks, thousands of folks who watch service online. 

If any church had a couple thousand people gathering outside their building spontaneously every week, wouldn't any thoughtful leadership ask, "How can we move these folks closer to Jesus and each other?"

GCC has that happening.  The place outside our building is called the world wide web.  So, we've been asking, "How can we help those folks take further steps toward Christ together?"

This week, Mark Meyer, our Internet campus director,  led our Leadership Team on a tour of our developing online campus, idochurchonline.com. Mark is a long time friend of mine.  Back in the early days, he and I dug the foundation for the student ministries of GCC.  Now, once again, Mark is laying another foundation and bringing amazing leadership to this new initiative.  His team is asking some powerful questions:

What if virtual church is an access point to take a first step toward Christ? 

Just like our current weekend service is a safe place to hear a dangerous message, an online campus is a safe place to take a step and simply explore what it would mean to follow Jesus. In other words, virtual church isn't designed to replace the entirety of real world church.  It becomes a front porch with a very clear door toward deeper engagement.

How may "virtual" steps lead to "real world" community, service, and growth?

Every week, people visit our real world services and hide from real community and life-changing service.  We're not ok with that. We create opportunities to step out of weekend into real community and service, both inside and outside the building.  Why can't we do that with the virtual online campus?  For example, why can't a virtual online experience turn into a decentralized movement of houses churches, doing life together and serving their community?

My family already attended service on campus last night, but we gathered at three different computer terminals this morning for the online service experience.  It really is engaging!

Here's the "auditorium" where you can see who else is attending.  You can move the cursor over each seat and see the name of the person "sitting" by you. Unlike a real service, I can scan quickly over every seat and see everyone who is attnending.  If I want to talk to one of these folks...

I can click on the "Who's Here" tab.  You can see that behind each name, if the person chooses, they can reveal their Facebook or Twitter info.  This allows opportunity for deeper virtual engagement.

 

In addition, there's a live chat room where I can discuss the service with folks currently attending with me.  The Internet campus pastor is there to moderate the conversation and inform us of opportunities:

...to move deeper into other virtual experiences (bible study groups, etc.)

....or to move into "real world" engagement in my community, as it develops.

Click the Map tab, you can see where people are attending from around the world. The other day, we had over 50 people who jumped into services from States all over America and three other countries.  India included!

I think the possibilities are HUGE. Let me just paint on possible scenario.

Imagine hundreds of bivocational pastors hosting groups in their homes or third places (think: Starbucks, meeting room at work, etc.).  While GCC can provide meaningful support through offering the service, additional teaching, leadership training for leaders, these decentralized missional communities could engage meaningful laser-focused service and deep relationships in the places they live and work. 

That get's my heart pumping.

idochurchonline.com goes live in a few weeks.

What do you think could happen?  What possibilities do you see on the horizon?

Groundbreaking on Kalavai Colony Community Center and Lift Off of GCC August Team!

Raj just sent me this photo.  Ground has been broken and the foundation is being laid for the Kalavai Colony Community Center (KC3).

Yes!  Kingdom breakthrough!  The short video below provides a "before" look at the construction sight and overview of the community-transforming initiatives that KC3 will house.

Another GCC team leaves today, picking up the baton from the long line of GCC teams that have gone before them.  Each team member has responded to the call of Jesus and then engaged a rigorous training process.  They are ready heart, mind, body, and soul. As one of their pastors, they make me so proud I could almost burst.

The current team will function in two villages where GCC has planted churches. They will:  

• Begin construction of the Kalavai Colony Community Center.
• Teach conversational English.  Conversational English unlocks the door to vocational and academic opportunity in India.
• Host health camps that will revolve around teaching basic health, hygiene, sanitation, and nutritional.  Over 80% of illness in a village can be alleviated through this type of education.
• Fire up three new small businesses: A rope shop, a flower shop, and goat-raising.

As you can see, the impact will be profound.

They are more than ready to join in the action. I hope you will too!  Our team leaders have all been iphone-equipped and twitter-trained, so you'll experience "in real time" reporting from the field.

Here's the part you can play to make a difference:

1. Follow along at the team blog.  Take a few minutes every day to "go to India."
2. Engage the global conversation by leaving them encouraging comments.  Imagine how morale will soar as they read scores of messages from the GCC family back here in Indiana.
3. Support the team in prayer.  Your prayers are powerful and will reach all the way around the world instantly.

Here we go!

KC3 in Kalavai from Gene Ort on Vimeo.

A Month in India Part One: Deepening the Well

We're seven days out from our launch date for "June in India."   Many people have been asking, "What will you do while you are there?"  I'll take the next few posts to explain the goals of the next month.

To understand this trip, you need to understand what we call the "Bore Well" Church Planting model.  A bore well requires significant drilling to excavate dirt and stone, providing access to the clean water in underground aquifers.

Since 2002, GCC's church planting strategy depends on increasingly focused networks of men and women, being led into deepening levels of training, relationship, and partnership. 

We're drilling deep, both in the lives of those we are training and in the villages where these churches are planted.  This increasing depth and richness of impact is only made possible through the combination of a laser focus and long term commitment.

June is about deepening the well of living water we been drilling in Tamil Nadu for seven years.

The Bore Well strategy involves four overlapping layers of training (pictured above), that involve both "classroom" modular training and in the field coaching.

Kingdom of God Training (KGT): This is the foundational training and funnel entry point designed to give men and woman the basics of church planting.  We currently have over 200 church planters being trained, each of these in batches of 30-50.  The training cycles is 18 months.

Purpose Driving Training (PDT): The 50 best and brightest of each cycle of the KGT training are invited to the PDT training.  PDT coaches the new church plants in church health and balance.  We offer this training to batches of 50 pastors at a time over an 18 month cycle.

Leadership Development Training (LDT):  Out of PDT, a small group of 8-10 planters are invited and equipped to become "the pastor of the pastors" and the "leaders of leaders."  The pastors become network leaders within the larger movement, not only caring for their congregations, but other pastors and churches.  LDT is an on-going relationship and not time bound.

Community Transformation Training (CDT): Due to the exceptionally  complex and time-consuming nature of community development initiatives in a developing world context, GCC offers a final layer of training and implementation for a small number of churches who moved through all the previous layers of training. The purpose of this training is to prepare indigenous churches to determine real vs. felt needs in the community, negotiate government bureaucracy, develop a technical survey of issues to intercept, and create a workable project plan for handling both community contributions (funds, labor and expertise) as well as outside (NGO, government, church-to-church) partnership. To date, of the almost 600 churches in the movement at various levels of training, 12 churches have successfully completed CTT training, with 3 moving forward into workable community development plans.

The strength of "bore well" model lies in the overlapping and reinforcing levels of selection, commitment, training, implementation, and demonstrated impact.  At each level, the church is provided "bit-sized" chunks of training and support through coaching.  Those who prove faithful and effective, are given greater opportunity to experience additional training and opportunity.  Everyone is supported at their level of giftedness and capacity. 

This model developed organically over the last eight years through the equal collaboration of the people of GCC and the churches in Tamil Nadu.

So, with that framework in mind, the trip in June will add value at each one of the levels of the bore well.   I'll break that down in the next few posts.

Interested in reading more on Bore Well Church Planting?  Download Bore Well Church Planting Model

Are you pastor or church leader interested in seeing the model in action firsthand?  Check this out.