March 2008 Newsletter

Our Wednesday night Bible study prays for a different country each week during our prayer time. I read through a point-of-interest summary on the nation from the book, Operation World, and then we pray. We recently prayed for Cameroon.

Because of our mission work in Cameroon, some of the excerpts from the summary were difficult to hear. For example: “Some claim Cameroon is the most corrupt nation on earth.”; “The spiritual poverty of the churches is the country’s greatest tragedy.”; and maybe most devastating to read, “Nominal Christianity is a bigger problem in this land than in any other in Africa.”

I spoke to a former missionary from Cameroon about this. It was good to hear him tell of some great past and present work being done in Cameroon. He was not offended, nor surprised by the ‘nominal characterization.’ He did comment though about how it is no different in any country. Do you think he is right?

We have several important events happening at Redeemer in March. A parenting class entitled Growing Kids God’s Way begins on Sunday nights. Obang Okello will be speaking on March 16th. You will not want to miss his compelling message on how God has provided for him. A Good Friday and an Easter Service will provide opportunity to especially remember what our Lord Jesus has done for us. A special Easter drama will be a part of this ministry. We will also be moving closer to a vote on whether or not to adopt eldership in our church.
Please be in prayer for each of these important aspects of the work at Redeemer.

As important as each of the above is, I want to highlight another topic. Youth through Adult Sunday School classes have been coordinated with the sermons the past two years. We will continue this practice starting in March. Biblical texts are listed on a half sheet of paper for you to take with you. The hope is that individuals/families will study the passage through the week, come to Sunday School to discuss it, and hear a related sermon during worship.

The texts are familiar…or are they! Is the nominalism attached to Cameroon also our issue? Deuteronomy 6:4-7 reads, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

We have many exciting and important opportunities to be a part of in March. Their significance will all be enhanced if growth in Jesus is a priority. Please take the lead in deepening your walk with the Lord. Help your family grow in Christ as you talk about God’s word together. Come to Sunday School and worship with a heart ready to receive what our resurrected Lord has for each one of us.