In October we launched our men’s and women’s ministries at LifeStone Church called “LSC KINSMEN” and “LSC SISTERHOOD”. Seriously, our entire church is getting fired up and excited about these ministries and to be honest, it isn’t just about what you might think. As awesome as the monthly worship experiences, relational events and small groups are, our men and women are pumped about making a difference in our world for Christ. They are excited about the opportunities they are going to have to impact lives, generations, neighborhoods and cities for Christ! You might be asking, “What do you mean by that”?
Each ministry has what we are calling “A Cause”. LSC KINSMEN has “The Kinsmen Cause” and LSC SISTERHOOD has “The Sisterhood Cause”. In other words, in each ministry there is one specific focus, drive and desire that they possess that goes way beyond just getting everyone together to worship, talk and even pray. There is one “cause” that exists to unite every single man, and one “cause” that exists to unite every single woman in ministry and to keep there eyes and hearts focused on a bigger dream and vision. I love how the “cause” for each ministry brings people together who are all so different and begins to develop in each of them a heart for ministry and to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world.
“KINSMEN CAUSE”:
Just a few weeks ago at the launch of the LSC Kinsmen, Fernando DeCarvalho, who is our LSC Kinsmen director, announced to the men of the church that the “Kinsmen Cause” will be ………CHURCH
PLANTING. That’s right, church planting. The men of our church have felt a commission by God to specifically build and take on the heart of a church planter and financially, resourcefully, and relationally begin to plant churches so people can encounter Jesus Christ as God and Savior of their lives. Sounds like a big vision huh? You got it! What kind of vision do you have if you don’t have BIG VISION? The men are partnering with several organizations to begin raising funds and resources to plant churches in two specific countries: Bolivia and Cuba. Currently, LSC Kinsmen will be planting three churches in 2012 (Cuba church plant in Spring, Bolivia church plant in Summer, Cuba church plant in Fall). Their plan is to send LSC Kinsmen to at least two of these church plants to begin building foundation and training leadership. I am so pumped to see the men of this church rise up as Spirit-filled ministers to plant churches and take the Gospel to people who need to experience Christ. LSC Kinsmen will be raising money all year along with giving percentages of their monthly offerings towards new churches. I’m excited to see the day when they will also be resourcing and helping plant churches, right here in America too! That day is coming!
“SISTERHOOD CAUSE”
My wife announced at the launch of LSC Sisterhood that their cause will be ABOLISHING HUMAN TRAFFICKING. Outside of salvation, I’m not sure if there is any other cause that is in greater need of more
people to rise up and make a difference in than this. LSC SISTERHOOD is going to be partnering with “The A21 Campaign” to help abolish human trafficking around the world. We have also found out that Pittsburgh is a “Hot Spot” for human trafficking…(yeah I know, surprised us too) and they will be doing what they can to help eradicate this culture in our own city! The ladies of our church have a HUGE heart to see and help women and girls set free from sex slavery and released into God’s destiny for their life! That is the “cause” of LSC Sisterhood. Doesn’t it just get you fired up to hear about people who see social injustice and feel compelled to step up and do something about it? The women of LifeStone Church want to help the A21 campaign to “Prevent Trafficking, Protect and Support Survivors, Prosecute Traffickers, and Partner With Others”. I am so proud of my wife who is being the “champion” to make sure the women of LifeStone Church know the problem and that we can be a part of God’s solution. It is really neat to see the momentum that has picked up with this ever since Jamie announced it at the first Sisterhood experience. Come to find out, many women in the church already have ministry experience and big hearts for eradicating this evil practice from our culture. It seems as if God has been planning this all along!
I believe when a group of people get behind a cause that God is already behind, the change they can initiate and bring will be beyond what their minds could conceive or understand. Look at the early church in Acts, lead by the greatest “cause” you could possibly imagine, salvation in Christ and the growth of Jesus’ Church. When Jesus commissioned the disciples and early church leaders in Matthew 28, there had to have been no doubt in any of their minds that the difference they would be making for Christ would be huge, WHY, because they were about what Jesus was about…salvation! I believe when the men of this church get church planting and the essence of its purpose deep in their hearts, WATCH OUT! I believe when the ladies fully get the heart of God for the girls and young women in sex slavery, they will begin to make a difference where people have given up hope for rescue, healing and restoration. God will use our men and women for his Kingdom work through “A Cause”!
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