My Nephews ,  A. & J joined our family the week before Thanksgiving a few short months ago.

This morning my heart is breaking for the children of Haiti. This tragedy that has taken place hits close to home for my family. As many of you know my sister and her husband recently adopted two boys from an orphanage in Haiti. I don’t have time to tell the whole story this morning but I wanted to repost my wife Jennifer’s blog which talks about the orphanage’s situation. Please pray for these children and the orphanage workers! They need GOD’S hand of protection, guidance, & strength!

Breaking News and Prayers Needed This Morning!!!
Below is a press release from the For His Glory Adoption Outreach Website.
All 133 children are en route by foot this morning to the US Embassy to be evacuated.
They have very limited supplies and won’t be provided any additional while at the US Embassy.
Please pray for the safety of these children and for the orphanage workers who will be attempting to keep all of them safe and together as they make the walk to the Embassy and then for their safety and protection as they travel together to the US.

Press Release: January 19, 2010

Orphans Intend to Depart Haiti

Orphans begin procedures to depart Haiti at U.S. Embassy

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti) On January 20, 2010, 133 orphans from the Maison des Enfants de Dieu (Children of the House of God) orphanage will begin the difficult process outlined by the U.S. Department of State for humanitarian parole and onward transportation to the United States. In accordance with instructions received from the State Department, as relayed by the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) at 8 p.m. today, orphans along with orphanage staff members have been instructed to arrive at the U.S. Embassy as early as possible on Wednesday morning. JCICS warned that no food, water or facilities would be available for the children while processing at the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince.

JCICS further relayed that orphanage requests to the U.S. Embassy for security and transportation for the children have been denied by the State Department. The U.S. ministry associated with this orphanage, For His Glory Adoption Outreach (FHG), was also asked to stop requesting security, transportation or even water at the orphanage location. Following discussions with staff and board members in Port-au-Prince, the difficult decision was made that all 133 children, including approximately 60 children under the age of 3, will begin early in the morning of January 20th to walk the over 2 kilometers to the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince. This decision was made due to the limited staff available and the increasingly dangerous security situation at the orphanage in Port-au-Prince. The staff will carry as much water, food and baby formula as possible with them for the orphans while processing at the U.S. Embassy. JCICS relayed that once processing is completed, the orphans will travel to the United States on “cargo jets to locations that are not often known until an hour or so before the flight leaves.”

Kim Harmon, President of FHG, acknowledged that “this arrangement is far from ideal for the safety and well-being of the children. We are calling to all who care about these precious children to pray earnestly for their safety tomorrow.”

If you would like to check out my sisters adoption story it will touch your heart.  You can find it on her blog .

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…”

James 1:27 ESV

Yesterday the staff hit the streets as we took a survey about Church.  I have to admit I wasn’t ecstatic about spending the day talking to strangers when I have so much to wrap up before our family heads out on vacation this weekend.  But as I began to talk with the very people we are trying to reach I began to realize that God wanted me out there.  It wasn’t for their benefit but rather mine.  I needed to be reminded that people want church to relevant.  They want church to be something that applies to their every day life.

I am committed to redefining church.  I am committed to building bridges.  I am committed to continue to do church in relevant and creative ways.  But sometimes we need to hear the voice of the community.  I so appreciate lead pastor Gus Sareyka listening to the voice of God and pushing us to go out into the community.  They are crying out.  Are we listening?  Furthermore, are we giving them what they need?

When is the last time you asked someone why they do not go to church?  I promise it will excite you and motivate you to invite them to a church that does church in a relevant way.  So go ahead, get out there and listen to the heart cries of those around us.

Last night around 9:30pm students from Garnet Valley High School came over to Fellowship to set up all their gear for an event that will be taking place tonight at the loft. (our student auditorium)  Tonight three rock bands from the school will be performing consecutive sets.  These are local kids in our community high school that just love to play music.  The majority of them have no relationship at all with Jesus.  We are expecting to have somewhere around 200 kids here tonight.

As Ryan Geiger and I helped them get set up last night and did sound checks for them they were blown away that a church would be so cool to host this kind of event.   They saw the loft and they were in awe that a church could have a place like this with cool lights, cool stage, smoke machines etc.  They want to play shows here now.

Why are we so pumped about it?  Because we are building bridges with the community.  200 kids that have never been to Fellowship will be here tonight.  They will feel accepted.  They will be surprised that we are not offended by their hair, their music, their lifestyles, etc…we will embrace them and engage in their culture.  And although I may not care for all their music, by us doing this we are embracing them and being Jesus to them.  We are shining our light to our community.

I am so proud of Fellowship and Ryan Geiger for hosting this event!  That is redefining church!