Southeast Christian NEXT Magazine | November 2018 by Southeast Christian Church

NOVEMBER 2018

SOU T HE A S T CHRIS T IAN.ORG

PE RSPE C T I V E

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CONTENTS PERSPECTIVE

NOVEMBER 2018

ISSUE 25

OUR CAMPUSES

FIRST THINGS FIRST

LIFE @ SOUTHE AST

QUICK QUESTION

SERVE WITH US

E YES LIKE HIS

1 4

CHOOSE TO SEE

P R AY ING E X P E C TA N T LY

GR AT EF UL L I V ING

2 4

AT HOME

ON MY HE ART

GE T EQUIPPED

PAG E

E YE S L I KE HI S

W E A L L H AV E A N E X T S T E P T O TA K E I N O U R WA L K W I T H J E S U S . W H AT ’ S Y O U R S ? In this magazine, hear the hear tbeat of Southeas t Chris tian Church and discover where you belong in our mission of connec ting people to Jesus and one another.

T im Hes ter ex plains w hy Chris t ians should engage w it h t he is sues surrounding pover ty and w ha t Sou t heas t is doing in response.

Those w ho ser ve ot her s ex perience more joy, grow t h, and community! Find ou t how you can s tar t ser v ing today.

W hen we look t hrough t he lens of Jesus’ love, we see people and situa t ions w it h much more grace and comp as sion.

We’re more prep ared to wal k w it h t he oppres sed and dow nt rodden w hen we choose to see t heir s t ruggles and suf fering.

The book of Ac t s hel ps us to examine and readjus t how we pray for t he glob al per secu ted church.

Because of Chris t and His gif t of salva t ion, we can ha ve l i ves ful l of gra t itude.

These tool s from our Children’s and Nex t G en Minis t ries w il l hel p you bring home w ha t your kids are learning a t church.

MISSIONS IN MIND Re:Center Ministries is ser v ing t he homeles s and hur t ing popula t ions of Louis v il le and sou t hern Indiana.

Somet imes t he nex t s tep in our t rans forma t ion requires us to hones t l y and courageousl y w res t le w it h G od alongside ot her bel iever s.

A ll S cr ip tur e quo t a t ions in t his public a t ion , unle s s o t her w ise indic a t ed , ar e f r om t he HOLY B IB L E , NE W IN T E R N AT ION A L V E R SION ® NI V® Copyright © 197 3, 1978, 198 4 , 201 1 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission. A ll rights reser ved worldwide.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

OUR CAMPUSES

EYES WIDE OPEN

BL A NK ENB A K ER C A MPUS

920 Blankenbaker Parkway Louisville, KY 40243 • 502.253.8000

INDI A N A C A MPUS

1309 Charlestown New Albany Road Jeffersonville, IN 47 130 • 812.704.1951

CRE S T WOOD C A MPUS

6201 Crestwood Station Crestwood, KY 40014 • 502.873.1100

SOUTHWE S T C A MPUS

8301 Saint Andrews Church Road Louisville, KY 40258 • 502.614.1500

L A GR A NGE C A MPUS

410 South 1st Street La Grange, KY 40031 • 502.614.1200

ave you ever pulled into your garage or reached the parking lot at work only to realize you don’t remember driving there? It’s an unsettling thought. Your eyes were on the road, but your focus was somewhere else. You stopped at every red light and stayed within the lines, all the while oblivious to the world around you. If we’re not careful, we can spend much of life that way: rolling along in autopilot, plugged in and tuned out, caught in the haze of a self-occupied slumber. We can easily lose our perspective amid the rigmarole of everyday life, closing our eyes to the lives and struggles of others. If anyone saw people clearly, it was Jesus. It’s hard to imagine a busier man than this Rabbi of rising renown, yet He allowed no one to go unseen in His presence. Jesus approached people without pride or pretense. He saw the “last” (Mark 10:31), the “lost” (Luke 19:10), and the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40) and had compassion on them all. Surrounded by broken and hurting people, Christ

W H AT I S T H E G O S P E L ?

EL IZ A BE THT OWN C A MPUS

600 North Dixie Avenue Elizabethtown, KY 42701 • 270.506.4630

GOD God is the only sovereign, wise, and good Creator of all things, who reigns as King over all creation for His own glory. ROMANS 11:33-36

Visit southeastchristian.org for more information. 2

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did not drive them out or push them down; He pulled them in and lifted them up. In the Bible, one of Jesus’ most frequently recorded miracles is His giving of sight to the blind, something that had never happened before His day (Matthew 9:33). Just as He saw people with open eyes, Christ opened the eyes of others. These physical healings point to a deeper, spiritual need. Jesus not only saw people clearly and served them sincerely—He taught them to see with fresh eyes, too. One of our greatest problems in this life is that we almost always turn our gaze inward. We are so focused on ourselves that we don’t see ourselves, God, or others rightly. God made us to reflect His glory in the world, but we have put on blinders and chased after self-serving schemes (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Just as scales fell from Saul’s eyes after he encountered Jesus for the first time (Acts 9:18), we need Christ to peel our own blindness away.

When we come to God’s Word and have the “eyes of our hearts” enlightened (Ephesians 1:18), we realize the terrifying truth: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight…” (Hebrews 4:13) God knows every last one of our sins and failures, all the secrets we keep hidden in our hearts. He needs no additional witnesses, no corroborating evidence to condemn us. Our Judge is personally present at the scene of our every crime. Yet, He loves us. Not because God looks past our offenses and abandons His justice, but because He accomplished perfect justice on our behalf at the cross. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) This is the Gospel, the good news of salvation for all who turn to the Lord in faith. See, Jesus didn’t come into the world just to clear away cataracts and restore optic nerves. The Son of God came to defeat the corruption of sin that lies at the heart of our

MAN Human beings were made in God’s image to love and worship Him forever. But ever since Adam first rebelled against God, we have all been lost in sin, under God’s judgment, and unable to save ourselves.

CHRIS T

spiritual blindness, bearing its punishment in our place in order to restore us to our Creator. He frees us from our sinful selfobsession into a new life of worshipful selfforgetfulness, loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27). We cannot love what we do not see. A change of perspective is in order. Jesus came to seek and save the “lost”— how can we not have eyes peeled for the opportunity to share His salvation with others? Jesus saw the “last” and served the “least”—how can we not become living displays of His compassion in this world? The more we see like Christ, the more we look like Christ. And the more we look like Christ, the more vividly we experience the purpose for which we were made—to give praise and honor to our all-seeing, all-loving, and evergracious God.

RE SPONSE

Out of undeserved love and grace, God sent His only Son to save us from sin and reconcile us to Himself through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

God offers us His gift of salvation by grace, which we receive through faith in Jesus. He makes us new, calls us to leave sin behind, and invites us to join His work in the world.

JOHN 3:16

EPHESIANS 2:8-10

ROMANS 3:23

SOUTHEASTCHRISTIAN.ORG

LIFE AT SOUTHEAST

Southeast hosted Act II: Finding Families for Waiting Children to address the need for adoptive homes for Louisville-area foster children.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jesus Christ is the only name that matters. He is the One who leads this church,

and in Him we find true life.â&#x20AC;? @DaveStone920

Blankenbaker Campus high school students participated in a Fall retreat. 4

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/southeastchrist @southeastchrist @southeastchrist southeastchristian.org

Attendees at the Blankenbaker Campus had the opportunity to enjoy several food truck options one weekend following Worship Services.

High school students experienced a convicting Manyand cheered and celebrated guests arrived for Shine. FL. life-changing week atasBible & Beach in Daytona,

Women from Welcoming Hearts explore the city and build lasting friendships.

“As long as I think I’m not that bad, grace will never seem that good.” @KyleIdleman

Guests and volunteers dance at this year’s beach-themed Shine event. SOUTHEASTCHRISTIAN.ORG

QUICK QUESTION B rief c o n ve r s ati o n s w i th our lea der s

Executive Pastor Tim Hester on

Addressing Poverty

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Christ gave Himself when there was nothing in it for Him. He had no obvious gain there. That’s how He called us to live, too.” Why should Christians care about poverty? It’s an absolute Biblical mandate. Our job as Christians is to take care of people, especially the most vulnerable people. Look at what Jesus did for the poor, and the sick, and all the people who needed a community to come alongside them and support them. We live in such a world that says, I will be your friend as long as there’s something in it for me. But the Gospel is the opposite of that. Christ gave Himself when there was nothing in it for Him. He had no obvious gain there. That’s how He called us to live, too. Also, God calls us to serve the “least of these.” Engaging with issues of poverty gives us the opportunity to live out the call of Christ. Jesus explained in Matthew 25 that when we clothe, feed, invite in, and visit the most vulnerable, we are doing those things for Him. It’s simple: if we don’t serve those people, we don’t serve Him. So, it’s very much a spiritual issue.

What is Southeast doing to address cycles of poverty? We’re already doing a lot! We do things around the world with other organizations, sending funds and skilled people to places where poverty is on a scale we cannot even imagine. Locally, we have ministry partners all over Kentuckiana—healthcare, addiction recovery, women’s clinics, foster care, homelessness, refugees, trauma, development, jobtraining, legal services, and so much more. We do so, so many things, but we don’t have a way yet to connect all these different resources. The great news is that Southeast has so many intelligent, big-hearted people who want to help,

but they don’t know how. So, we’re looking into an initiative to connect our members with the resources and steps they need to get involved, and we’re excited for the opportunity to really take this on as a church. But for those who want to get started now, there are already great ways to engage, and we’d love to get you connected.

What would you say to people who are nervous about this idea? I think when we engage with people who are different from us, it’s always scary. We have to overcome all those fear barriers. It’s not about having too little time. It’s not about life being hectic. It’s about being afraid. Once we can overcome that fear, the next step is easier. I have a big dream. Jesus said the poor will always be among us, but Scripture mandates that we fight really hard to advocate for the defenseless. I am crazy enough to believe that we can radically reduce the number of people who are poor. But it’s not about reducing poverty, it’s about giving more people an invitation to be transformed by the Gospel. But we can’t preach on the streets and ignore the lives of the people around us, nor can we take care of their physical needs without addressing the root spiritual brokenness. The Gospel meets both sides. At the end of the day, that’s the goal—the goal is to spread the Gospel. Tim Hester is Southeast’s Executive Pastor. He and the Lead Team work to steer the staff as they execute the mission and strategies of the church. Learn more about how to get involved at southeastchristian.org/SERVE.

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SERVE WITH US Use y o u r g i ft s t o b l e s s o t h ers

Serve and See VOLUNTEERING CHANGES HOW WE LOOK AT GOD, OURSELVES, AND OTHERS. By Madalyn Wilbanks

Christians, we recognize that loving and serving others are reflections of God’s heart, and His Son Jesus is our highest example of servanthood. Being God by nature, Christ humbled Himself to death on the cross for our salvation. His way is selfless, His heart is humble, and His love is generous.

Contrary to the way of the world, our Savior came into our world not to be served, but to serve others (Mark 10:45). He spread the news of the Gospel, considered Himself last, and loved the people society deemed to be lowly. He asks us, as His followers, to do the same. And when we do, it changes us. Here’s how.

JOY

Some truths are tested by time. You might be familiar with Jesus’ adage, “It is better to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) It’s possible that the Golden Rule—Do unto others as you would have them do unto you—was taught in your home or classroom. Maybe you’ve heard it said that there is no greater joy than to serve another person. If you’ve served in any capacity, it’s likely you’ve found these statements to be more than platitudes. My guess is that you’ve found them to be true: joy follows serving. Imagine the measure of joy that follows a life dedicated to loving and serving Jesus and other people! When we serve in Jesus’ name, we have the privilege of seeing God at work all around us and in the fruits of our persistent prayer. Regardless of the outcome, we know that our labor for the Lord is never in vain, and His Word never returns to Him empty. Even when faced with adversity, we can cling to the truth that, in taking part in God’s work, our joy is made complete. The apostle Paul knew this well. He was beaten, imprisoned, and mocked while serving the Lord and sharing His name with others. In 2 Corinthians 6:10 we read that Paul was filled with sorrow, yet always rejoicing. He was poor, but making many spiritually rich. He had nothing, but in Christ he possessed everything. When we serve the Lord, abundant joy will follow.

38%

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PEOPLE WHO SERVE AT CHURCH TEND TO BE 38% HAPPIER THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT.

ACTIVELY SERVING CHRISTIANS HAVE REPORTED MORE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THOSE WHO DON’T SERVE SAY THEY ARE EXPERIENCING:

THOSE WHO SERVE SAY THEY ARE EXPERIENCING: A lot of growth

40%

A lot of growth

20%

Some growth

51%

Some growth

42%

Not much growth

24%

No growth

12%

GROWTH

God works in us and through us when we serve others. The more we cultivate a servant’s heart, the more we become like Jesus. We grow in our knowledge and understanding of who He is and begin to see people as He sees them. Serving gives us the opportunity to grow into who He made us to be as we contribute to the body of Christ. God gives different skills, talents, and abilities to each of us, all for one purpose—to build up the church and advance the Kingdom of Heaven. First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” When we live in relationship with Him, and serve others with our God-given strengths, we reach our full potential in both who God made us to be and what He can accomplish through us.

SEE GOD AT WORK IN YOU The Kingdom of Heaven grows as we serve. And if you have never experienced the joy, growth, and community that come through serving, you can today!

COMMUNITY

One of the best ways you can get to know the people at church is by serving with them. When we work side by side with one another, a bond forms. The people we serve and the people we serve beside soon become our family. Hebrews 10:2425 instructs us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another…” When we are surrounded by other believers who are carrying out the same goal of servanthood, we see our faith growing stronger and we see our relationships deepen.

Statistics collected from Barna Group, Christianity Today, and Pew Research Center.

CHURCHGOERS WHO REGULARLY VOLUNTEER ARE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO HAVE LASTING AND IMPACTFUL CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIPS THAN THOSE WHO DON’T.

Every week, volunteers at Southeast play a vital role in connecting people to Jesus and one another. In the parking lot and the Sanctuary, behind the scenes and on the platform, volunteers are serving to reach more people with the good news of Jesus and seeing His church grow in the world.

Find out where you can serve at

SOUTHEASTCHRISTIAN.ORG/SERVE

MADALYN WILBANKS Volunteer Engagement Associate

SOUTHEASTCHRISTIAN.ORG

E Y E S L I K E H I S W HAT I F W E S A W O T HE R S T HE WAY J E S U S S E E S U S? BY BRIAN SITES

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wish I could say that I always see people like Jesus does. But my spiritual eyes do not always see 20/20. My vision has been blurred by selfishness and arrogance. Busyness and distraction weaken my eyesight. To be honest, sometimes I am simply blinded by my own sin. Jesus sees people so clearly; I see them as complicated. Where I see interruptions, He sees opportunities. Where I see a bundle of problems, He sees their potential. How can I have eyes like His? The Bible gives us many powerful glimpses of how Jesus views people. Ordinary, everyday people like you and me. Rich and poor. Some who thought they had it all together, and many who knew they were a hot mess. Religious people, and people who were far from God. Proud people. Hurting people.

JESUS NEVER SEES PEOPLE AS INTERRUPTIONS OR INCONVENIENCES. Each life that intersected with Jesus’ was an opportunity to point people to the goodness and glory of God. Like the woman who grabbed His coat as He made His way to heal a little girl—she desperately needed a healing touch that no doctors could provide. Oh, they had tried, but she simply got worse. She sought a miraculous treatment that she couldn’t possibly afford—she had already spent everything she had. So she got close enough to just touch Jesus’ clothes, and the unimaginable happened. “Jesus turned and saw her” (Matthew 9:22), and He healed her.

What if I saw people that way? Instead of seeing an endless crowd of needy people, what if I began to believe I might have exactly what they need? It could be an encouraging word or Godly wisdom, a thoughtful prayer or healing touch, a Biblical truth or tangible gift. What if our lives crossed paths so that they could experience the goodness and the glory of God—through me? Several years ago, I was driving home at the end of a very long and full day. I was exhausted and eager to put a period on the sentence of that day’s work. As I drove, I saw a friend of mine walking—actually, stumbling through the half-lit parking lot of a big, abandoned box store. He was barefoot and disheveled. It was already dark, much later than most people would normally be out for a stroll. I knew he was far from home—and I don’t just mean his street address. I am ashamed of my first thoughts: “You did this to yourself. This is where your choices have led you. You’re ruining your life and destroying your sweet family.” But then I saw him through Jesus’ eyes. I pulled up beside him and rolled down my window so he could hear me call his name. He looked at me with empty, sad, drunken eyes before declining a ride. I told him I loved him, and prayed, and wept.

JESUS NEVER SEES PEOPLE AS “LESS THAN.” Jesus gave value to every person He came in contact with. Even when Jesus saw the “least of these,” He counted Himself among them. Think about this: we are to have the same mindset Jesus had, one that sees others as better than ourselves and looks to the interests of others Continued on page 12 >>

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“Jesus’ eyes default to love, because He is love. And as we follow Him and become more and more like Him, we’ll love others, too.”

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EYES LIKE HIS // Continued from page 11

before our own (Philippians 2:1-8). Jesus did this so perfectly. He grabbed a bowl of water and a towel and washed the dirty feet of His disciples. He sat down for dinner with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners. He saw a woman caught in the act of adultery—let that sink in for a moment—and instead of throwing a stone, He offered grace. What if I saw people that way? What if I served others simply because they were created in the image of God and they are precious to Him? What if, instead of pronouncing judgment, I lovingly communicated truth, and truthfully communicated love? Every person I meet provides an avenue for generosity or service, every conversation a pathway for grace. Some time ago, my wife had taken our daughter to the doctor’s office for an x-ray. She called me on her way home and announced, “I need you to take $500 back to the x-ray tech.” Puzzled, I explained to her that it didn’t work that way, that they would submit it to insurance and send me a bill. She clarified: “No, not for the medical bill…for him.” I’m embarrassed to say that I objected. After all, that was a lot of money, and it wasn’t God giving those directions to me! I simply saw

an employee doing his job. But she saw a lonely refugee, separated from his wife and children by thousands of miles and several years. Yet he lived with joy and contentment and a faith that God would provide a way for them to be reunited. He was the x-ray tech, but my wife was the one who could see beneath the surface. She asked me to take a second glance, to look at him with Jesus’ eyes, and we made a friend.

JESUS NEVER SEES PEOPLE AS LOST CAUSES. To be clear, Jesus knows that without Him, we are lost. Still, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) Their “lostness” didn’t frustrate, discourage, or anger Jesus—it moved Him to compassion. What’s more, it moved Him to live on mission. What if I saw people that way? What if I looked closer into the crowds—my neighborhood, workplace, team, or gym—and saw people as they really are? Confused, helpless, harassed, and hurting—sheep without a shepherd. What

if instead of retreating to my safe, sanctified circle of friends, I was motivated by the mission? “The harvest is great,” Jesus said, “but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37 NLT) Jesus met a man who was trying to figure out how to inherit eternal life. He might have been asking the wrong questions, and he definitely had significant hurdles to overcome. Ultimately, this man walked away from Jesus. But don’t miss the posture of Jesus: “Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him.” (Mark 10:21 NLT) You see, I believe Jesus sees you and me the same way. His eyes default to love, because He is love (1 John 4:8). And as we follow Him and become more and more like Him, we’ll love others, too. We’ll serve them and share with them and show grace to them. We’ll see people with eyes like His.

What’s Next? Learn more about how you can see through Jesus’ eyes in a class or group, go on mission by serving with one of our ministries, and find more stories about how God is moving in our midst—all at

southeastchristian.org

BRIAN SITES La Grange Campus Pastor

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Choose to See Gaining perspective on the struggles and suffering of others

By Kacie Chase

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“In Jesus’ eyes, no one is no one.”

“Hi. My name is Kacie, and I’m a child of God.” This is how we introduce ourselves at the local Celebrate Recovery meetings each week in my West Louisville community. All of us introduce ourselves like this because every single one of us has known hurt, shame, and rejection, and many have experienced serious forms of abuse. The reminder that we are children of God is an essential reminder of who we truly are. My family and I live in what some consider the “bad part of town,” a place that often gets associated with brokenness and hardship. Personally, I can’t say I’ve known great suffering, injustice, or abuse. However, I can say one thing: my willingness to see injustice and suffering around me has changed my life.

No One Is No One Tucked inside the book of Luke, there is a story about a widow who has lost her only son. At that point in history, the world was largely patriarchal. It would have been nearly impossible for a woman like this to support herself without a husband or any sons. But in Luke 7:13-15 (ESV) the Bible tells us, “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.” What most stands out to me is that Jesus saw her. Jesus was a busy man. In fact, He had just healed the son of a prominent official, and this woman was no one compared to him. But in Jesus’ eyes, no one is no one. He saw her pain and her suffering. He saw that she would be left destitute and desperate. He was unwilling to leave her there. So, first He saw her, and then He acted. There is real suffering and injustice all around us. But many of us live as if there is none. We drive to our places of work, we spend all day with people in similar life situations to our own, and then we drive to our homes and fill our evenings with happy date nights, kids’ activities, and Bible study groups. None of those things are bad in and of themselves. But if we fill our lives with so much busyness and comfort that we no longer see the injustices of our world, then we have entirely lost the transforming, radical nature of the faith Jesus displayed in the New Testament.

Stop and See For my family, the first step toward seeing suffering was to move to West Louisville. Our neighbors, our Bible study

WHAT’S NEXT?

attendees, and our Celebrate Recovery family are people who are very familiar with suffering and injustice. But we never would have engaged these people or the heavy burdens they carry if we weren’t willing to put aside our comfort and share our life with theirs. You may be tempted to think, “Those people just need to work harder. They need to get a real job. They need to…” But until you see your neighbors as Jesus sees them, you will never notice the children who are being abused by parents with mental illness, or kids growing up alone because of a parent’s addiction, or a lack of quality education and “real” jobs in areas of poverty. Until you see with Jesus’ eyes, you might forget how many people cannot afford access to the things we often take for granted—things like childcare, healthcare, and vehicles. Instead of filling our days with all the activity, let’s stop long enough to take a look around, long enough to see the people around us. Not just our friends, but those in the margins. See the immigrant that is trying to make it in a new country. See the child in foster care who feels rejection and shame. See the adult who is struggling to keep their alcoholism at bay. Jesus sees them all, and through faith in Him all can become the children of God. You’ll be amazed at what you see when you choose to see like Jesus did.

KACIE CHASE Partnership Development / GMHC Missions Ministry

There are many ways you can actively turn your eyes toward the suffering, sin, and injustice all around us.

On November 8-10, Southeast is hosting the Global Missions Health Conference at our Blankenbaker Campus. This year’s conference theme is human trafficking. Slavery remains a global problem to this day, and the sins of labor and sex trafficking continue to impact our world, our nation, and our region. Come to GMHC to learn more about this issue and hear how God is using missionaries, organizations, and healthcare professionals to help those who are suffering and bring traffickers to justice. To learn more about the conference and to sign up, visit medicalmissions.com.

You can also get involved with Southeast’s Missions Ministry through one of our upcoming mission trips, or by volunteering with one of the ministries we partner with locally. Learn more at southeastchristian.org/connect/missions. Maybe you or someone you know is struggling, or is the victim of abuse. We want to help. Please contact our Care Ministry by calling 502.253.8400 or going to southeastchristian.org/ connect/care.

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Praying Expectantly INTERCEDING FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH BY DREW DAVIS

all of your prayers were answered today, would your world be changed or would the world be changed? This question is not a litmus test for the validity or sufficiency of our prayers. Nor is it wrong to pray for the very real needs in our lives. However, I know I am guilty of thinking of myself first when I pray and focusing on my own needs over others. Over the past couple of years, I have become convicted of two things: my prayers are very self-centered and my prayers are very small. We have a BIG God who is doing BIG things all over this earth. Jesus told His disciples to be witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). There are people literally laying down their lives every single day so that the name of Jesus will be lifted high to all nations. God cares deeply about the trials of our lives and the struggles we have every day, but the persecution we face in the U.S. is minimal at best when compared to what our brothers and sisters are facing every day in other parts of the world. We must have a healthy perspective of what we are facing compared to what other believers are facing. Consider Cahya, whose friend was killed with acid for preaching the name of Jesus. Sam was arrested and interrogated for his faith and servant heart. Akamu lives every day wondering when the next bomb meant to kill him will go off. And Donté extracts believers from a hostile land to better disciple them.

PRAYING LIKE THE EARLY CHURCH How do we help our brothers and sisters in the midst of persecution? The opportunity to join with them is not likely, but we have a BIG God who is doing BIG things all over the earth. The best answer is to pray, and I think we can gain insight from the early church in Acts 4.

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“We need to pray that the name of Christ would be exalted in all circumstances and that lives would be transformed through Him.”

In Acts 4, we get a glimpse of the persecution the early church faced and how they responded. When threatened and told to stop preaching the name of Jesus, Peter and John didn’t run away; they returned to their faith family. Just like then, we pray now because we are one family with one purpose: to exalt Christ and see Him exalted in all nations. And just like the church family prayed together in Acts 4, we remember that we’re praying to the “Sovereign Lord,” the One who is in control of all things. This is so valuable to know and be reminded of in the midst of persecution. What do we ask our sovereign God when the body of Christ faces persecution? That the oppression will stop? That God would punish those who afflict the Church? In Acts 4, they prayed for two specific things: that God would help them to preach the Gospel with boldness and that He would transform lives around them. This should be the focus of our prayers, too. We need to pray that the name of Christ would be exalted in all circumstances and that lives would be transformed through Him.

Do we expect this? Do we expect that God will show up? The early church did in Acts 4. The earth literally shook when they prayed. When we pray, we should expect the world to change for the glory of God and expect the Spirit to move in His people to the nations. We should pray with expectation that lives would be transformed for His name’s sake. All names have been changed to protect Christians who are living in hostile regions.

WHAT’S NEXT? At Southeast there are three tangible ways you can pray for the persecuted church across the earth.

1. DAILY TEXTS: Sign up to receive text alerts from our missionaries by texting “TenTwo” to 733-733.

2. WEEKLY GATHERING: Pray for the nations every Monday night from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at the Blankenbaker Campus in ACTR 204.

3. MONTHLY MULTI-NATION NIGHT OF PRAYER: DREW DAVIS Mobilization and Awareness Leader Missions Ministry

The last Saturday of every month, from 8:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m., many people come together for an all-night gathering, earnestly praying for the glory of God to be made known throughout the world. (Blankenbaker Campus • FH 111) Come and go as you like.

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Grateful Living BY SHERRY C. LEAVELL

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E “If we really think about the gift of Christ and the sacrifice that was made, how can we not be forever thankful and live in gratitude?”

arly-American theologian Jonathan Edwards taught that there are two levels of gratitude. Natural gratitude is being thankful for the blessings in our lives. Gracious gratitude is gratefulness for who God is.

One does not have to be a Christian to be thankful for good things. It is a natural human response to feel grateful for the blessings in our lives like our families, our health, or a beautiful Fall day. We count our blessings “one by one” and can easily have gratitude for those good things. For the non-Christian who feels thankful, who is the one they are thankful to? Who gives them the beautiful day, their health, or family members to love? For years, I wanted a nice vacuum cleaner. I thought about buying one, yet never got around to doing so. I didn’t buy one, but just thought many times about how nice it would be to have a good vacuum cleaner. When my birthday came along, my daughters Laura and Amy were excited about my gift. Once I opened it, I was overwhelmed. It was a powerful vacuum cleaner with a canister, rather than a bag, just as I had always wanted! I was so happy, and I went on and on thanking the girls and expressing my gratitude. I was the recipient of the vacuum, and Laura and Amy were the recipients of my heartfelt gratitude. Of the good gifts we receive, some last a little while and others may last a long time. But there is only one gift that lasts forever. The gift that lasts forever is the gift given personally by God. It is the gift of Jesus. And once we accept the gift by confessing our sins and welcoming Jesus as our Lord and our Savior, we have the gift as ours from that day forward. This gift changes everything.

BECAUSE OF CHRIST If we really think about the gift of Christ and the sacrifice that was made so we could have the gift, how can we not be forever thankful and live in gratitude? For the nonbeliever, who has not yet accepted the gift, they aren’t able to thank the One who is worthy of all gratitude. They don’t know Him. But we, as believers, know that we can thank Jesus. Each day we have a choice. We can choose to—or choose not to—live each day as an expression of our gratitude and give glory to the Lord Most High. God gave the gift, and He gets the glory. Continued on page 22

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Grateful Living // Continued from page 21

As Christians, we can choose gratitude because of God and what was done on the cross for us by Jesus. Our response to His extravagant gift can be thankfulness. We can have gracious gratitude to the One who gave it all. We can live our lives as an expression of our appreciation for who God is and what He has done. Our daily lives can be a communication of our thankfulness to the Lord.

8:10 tells us “...for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” It is the Lord who shines through us and gives us gratitude. This gratefulness is a gift from the Lord and we can ask Him for this gift if it’s not something we currently have. He will give us His perspective, determination, and an ability to be grateful. But what about being thankful in the hard times—when it rains on our special day, when our health declines, or when we lose a family member? How can we be thankful in those days? In the midst of suffering or disappointment, how do we do it? How is this

In Luke 17:11-19, we read about ten lepers who called out to Jesus for healing. Jesus saw the men and gave them instructions, “and as they went, they were cleansed.”

even possible?

After one of these men was healed, he returned—praising God and falling at the feet of Jesus to thank Him. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” He then told the healed man, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” How many times do we ask the Lord for something and then, like the other nine lepers, forget to go back and thank the Lord? How many times do we thank someone for a small gift like a pair of socks, but fail to say thank you to the Lord for the biggies? How many nights do we lay our heads on our pillows and so easily forget to say, “Thank you, Lord Jesus”? He is the One who lavishes such gifts on us as forgiveness, grace, eternal life, joy, and every breath we take.

IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES Think about someone you know who is truly grateful. Has their life been one of ease or have they had challenges? My guess is the person who came to mind is one who has experienced hard situations and difficulties. How is this possible to be grateful when life is hard and disappointing? It is God who has worked in this person’s life to give them perspective and appreciation. Nehemiah

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In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we read, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Several years ago, I attended the visitation for the funeral of Mike Paten. Mike was the husband of Gwen Paten and he died very shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. I’ll never forget seeing Gwen by Mike’s casket with her arm raised high praising the Lord for His goodness. Seeing her trust and faith in the Lord made a lasting impression on me that day. I wanted that kind of relationship with the Lord. I wanted to be a person who could praise the Lord in all seasons and in all situations. I’m not there yet, but the Lord is working in me to make me more grateful. I am grateful for this gift of gratefulness. The worth of our day and our lives is not determined by our circumstances. Each day is a gift from God and He is good. Let us give Him all thanks and praise.

SHERRY C. LEAVELL Southeast Member Blankenbaker Campus

“Our daily lives can be a communication of our thankfulness to the Lord.”

WHAT’S NEXT? Cultivate gratitude in your life through serving others! Turn to the Mission in Mind feature on page 28 to discover ways to get involved this Thanksgiving season. You can also read how God is walking with others and share your own story of thankfulness at southeastchristian.org/stories. SOUTHEASTCHRISTIAN.ORG

AT HOME

Equipping Parents for Spiritual Leadership outheast Christian Church takes great care to provide our children with valuable, engaging Bible stories and lessons each week through our children’s ministries and youth programming. But we firmly believe that your child’s spiritual journey begins at home. We want to equip you to engage your child in discussion, application, and growth of their faith.

Early Childhood (Birth-Preschool)

Our AT HOME feature includes practical insight about what your preschool and elementary children are learning at church, plus suggestions for ways to engage your kids in deeper discussions at home. There’s also a devotion specifically written for your middle and high school students. Working together, we will raise up the next generation of Christ’s followers!

“Happy Helpers Club”

November’s Challenge When we stop and think about it, we are surrounded by helpers who deserve a big thank you for all the ways they help us. They are making the world we live in—the world our preschoolers live in—a better place. We want our preschoolers to grow up with eyes that see the helpers and a heart that is thankful.

NOVEMBER 3/4: Tabitha Acts 9:36-39 I am thankful for people who give me clothes. NOVEMBER 10/11: Nehemiah Builds a Wall Nehemiah 1-6 I am thankful for people who help me. NOVEMBER 17/18: Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 I am thankful for people who help me when I’m hurt. NOVEMBER 24/25: Elijah and the Widow 1 Kings 17:7-16 I am thankful for people who give me food.

Memory Verse

“Always give thanks to God...” Ephesians 5:20 NCV

Engage Your Child BABY: As you snuggle your baby this month, pray, “Dear God, thank You for this little one. We love being his/her mommy and daddy. Please help us show this baby how to live a life of gratitude, joy, and service. Thank You for Jesus, who taught us with His life how to follow You. In His name, Amen.”

TODDLER: While you’re driving, take turns with your child saying, “I am thankful for...” and then name a person. See if you can keep naming people until you get where you’re going.

PRESCHOOL: While bathing your child, add some plastic toy food items to the bath water. Have your child line them up, group them by colors, or count them. Talk about how thankful you are for the people who help give you food, like farmers, truck drivers, and grocery store clerks. © 2018 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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Elementary (K-5)

“Jam Session: Build a Better Beat”

November’s Challenge God created us to work together in community. Throughout the Bible, we see how God brought people together to accomplish something big for Him. Our love for one another can point people to Him.

Memory Verse

“Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIrV®

Life Application Cooperation: Working together to do more than you can do alone

NOVEMBER 3/4: Building the Tabernacle Exodus 25:8-9; 35:21-34 God wants us to work together. NOVEMBER 10/11: Joshua Wins the Battle over the Amalekites Exodus 17:8-13 Work together to help someone succeed. NOVEMBER 17/18: Jesus Heals the Paralytic Luke 5:17-26 Work together to help someone in need. NOVEMBER 24/25: One Body but Many Parts 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Work together to point others to Jesus.

Engage Your Child ON A DRIVE: Play a game of “I Spy” in the car. Search for people working together. Think about construction workers, drive-thru teams, emergency crews, etc. Remind your child that God wants us to work together.

MEAL TIME: KIDS: If you could be a part of a famous team, band, or TV show cast, which would you choose? PARENTS: What was your experience with group projects in school? Did you divide work evenly, take on a greater load, or let your teammates do most of the work?

AT BEDTIME: Read Luke 5:17-26. Share about the needs you see in your family, school, neighborhood, or something you’ve heard about in another part of the world. Is there one thing that makes you sad and moves you to want to do something? Pray about what your family could do together, and talk about what you need to do to accomplish your idea. © 2018 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

For Crestwood Campus Parents of Crestwood Campus elementary kids, your child will continue our journey through God’s Big Story in November. Engage your student in discussions around these Scriptures BEFORE CHURCH throughout the month.

NOVEMBER 3/4: Ehud • Judges 3:12-30 Ask your children how they have seen God as Deliverer in your family. NOVEMBER 10/11: Deborah • Judges 4:1-16; Judges 5:31 Discuss why God might have been allowing the Israelites to suffer. NOVEMBER 17/18: Gideon • Judges 7:1-24 Read the story outside in the dark with just a flashlight! NOVEMBER 24/25: Feast of Unleavened Bread— God as Redeemer • Romans 3:21-26 Thank God for sending Jesus to be our Redeemer.

Did you know? You can text ATHOMECW to 40650 to get a short “At Home Weekly” texted to you!

Continued on page 26

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AT HOME // Continued from page 25

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is one of the highest compliments that anyone could say to another. It’s a trait that draws others in and instills trustworthiness. It is one of the most beautiful things to discover about someone: that they really are who they say that they are. That they have integrity. That they have character. When I was a Bible college student, we would have weekly dorm devotionals. These were usually led by students, but occasionally we would have a professor come and share with us. I listened to many devotionals, but one sticks out to me above the others. Toward the end of my senior year, Dr. Shane Wood came to speak to my dorm floor. Dr. Wood is an incredible man of God and man of the Word who is unafraid to challenge and call young men to rise up to be all that God is inviting them to be. That particular night he chose to speak on the topic of integrity. I will never forget him looking out across the room and saying this simple, profound statement: “It is not easy, but a life without secrets is the greatest way to live.” A life without secrets. To actually be who you say you are. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” The Greek word for “character” here is the word dokimē. Dokimē means that something has been tested and it was proven to be true on the other side of the testing. Pastor Matt Reagan describes dokimē by using the illustration of a banana. A banana is on the outside what it is on the inside. If you see a bruised and rotten banana on the outside, you can open it and you will find on the inside a bruised and rotten banana. If you find a perfectly yellow banana on the outside, you can open it and expect to find the same on the inside. A banana has dokimē. We must ask ourselves the same question, and we must ask it often: Am I on the inside what I claim to be on the outside?

If you’re anything like I am, sometimes that question is easier to ask than other times. But I have found two things that have helped me to walk in more integrity and have helped me be more of who God is inviting me to be. DON’T HAVE SECRETS. If you become a good pretender, you will stay a good pretender. You need at least one person who knows everything about you. They need to know all of your failures and all of your mistakes. When this happens, you free yourself from the need to impress them. Find someone you trust, tell them everything, and check in with them weekly. BE YOURSELF. God created you uniquely and wonderfully. He made you to be you, not anyone else. He has gifted you with unique skills to build up the body of Christ. If you try to be yourself, and don’t try to be anyone else, you will find yourself walking in the confidence that God desires for you to walk in.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FAMILY Who is one person each of you trusts enough to share your failures and struggles with? How can you as a family help each other walk in integrity? As a family, encourage each other and call out the unique, God-given gifts that you see within each other.

Additional Reading: Proverbs 4:20-27

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MISSIONS IN MIND M e e t So ut he a s t ’ s Mi s s i o n Part n ers

RE:CENTER MINISTRIES BY C O RY B L E D SO E

“PLEASE LET ME DIE, BECAUSE I CAN’T KEEP ON LIKE THIS.” That was Jason’s prayer during the five years he spent homeless or in jail. Addicted to alcohol and drugs since age 12, Jason had left a trail of broken relationships and failed attempts at recovery behind him. “I was dead inside, broken,” he said. On February 12, 2018, at the age of 42, Jason had only a glimmer of life left inside when his dad—a Southeast member— brought him to Louisville Rescue Mission, now known as Re:Center Ministries. “Something clicked,” he remembered. “I felt God was calling me. I asked Jesus to be my Savior and I believe in Him without a doubt.” Looking back on those years of brokenness, Jason said, “I would never have imagined my life could be like it is today!” Jason is more than halfway through our three-phase, 18-month residential LifeChange program. He works full-time for a construction company owned by a Southeast member, he’s active in a local church, and he is reconciling with his family, including his newborn son. “I want to teach him to be a Godly man when he grows up,” Jason said. “God has given me a peace and joy I could never put into words. I know I’m not alone anymore.”

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START HERE Don’t we all pray for outcomes like Jason’s when we see someone who’s homeless or hurting? But it’s all too common for us as believers to swing to one of two ends of the pendulum: Turn away out of fear, shame, or guilt and do nothing, or jump in head-first and do what we think will “fix” a person. At Re:Center, we believe there’s a different way. It’s not simple, nor is it quick and easy. But it’s faithful to the whole counsel of God as revealed in Scripture. And after 137 years of ministry to the homeless and hurting, we know it works. Take some time this holiday season to prayerfully examine your perspective of homelessness. What if the person you see sleeping under the overpass has no relationships because childhood abuse and neglect destroyed their capacity to trust? What if the person talking to themselves as they walk around downtown hasn’t been able to stick with their psychiatric care? What if the person standing at a stoplight asking for money can’t hold down a job because of their addiction? What if the person you served a meal to at the homeless shelter wants to work and live interdependently, but doesn’t know how to start? Hear this invitation: Let your curiosity fuel a desire to know people deeply. Take time to discover how the Lord has formed their story. Every one of us is created in the image of God and it’s this common humanity that leads us, as believers, to compassion.

Then, let your compassion drive you to fulfill the call of Christ. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 to be ministers of reconciliation. That instruction is the foundation of our mission here at Re:Center—We reconcile homeless and hurting people to God, family, and community by the power of Christ in partnership with the local church. The Lord burdens every heart differently. Maybe homeless ministry isn’t where you’ve been called—that’s okay. But our encouragement to you today is to take a step back and prayerfully examine how God has spoken through Scripture of the people you’re passionate about serving. Finally, take your curiosity, your compassion, and your specific calling, and channel it into action. Give of your time, give of your talents, or give of your treasure. These are gifts God has entrusted to each of us and there’s no shortage of ways to use them for the Kingdom. Want to talk more? Visit recenterministries. org. We’d love to get to know you and find the perfect way to partner with you in Louisville or Southern Indiana.

CORY BLEDSOE Executive Director Re:Center Ministries

“EVERY ONE OF US IS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD AND IT’S THIS COMMON HUMANITY THAT LEADS US, AS BELIEVERS, TO COMPASSION.”

DONATE GOODS: Re:Center gratefully accepts a range

PURCHASE A DEEP-FRIED TURKEY: Support Re:Center’s

Want to help Re:Center Ministries this Thanksgiving holiday? Here are a few ways to get involved!

of items, from food and personal toiletries to cleaning supplies and home essentials. You can even shop and ship directly from their Amazon wishlist. Learn more at recenterministries.org/donate-goods.

annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry and order a turkey to enjoy with your family for Thanksgiving. All profits help Re:Center reach more people in need. Learn more at recenterministries.org/missionpossible.

PREPARE A MEAL: We have opportunities for your family or

SHOP AT THRIFT ‘N’ THRIVE: Shop local this holiday

small group to provide meals for our guests and residents. Learn more at recenterministries.org/prepare-a-meal.

season! Support Re:Center’s nonprofit thrift store that provides job training to men like Jason who are overcoming homelessness. Learn more at thriftnthrive.org.

WHAT’S NEXT?

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ON MY HEART R e f l e ct i o n s fr o m o u r Mi n ist ry L eaders

BY BRAD RICCA

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“EVERY DAY, I PRAY FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK WITH GUYS WHO WANT TO UNLOCK THEIR GOD-GIVEN PASSION AND POTENTIAL.”

O DISCIPLINE SEEMS PLEASANT AT THE TIME, BUT PAINFUL. LATER ON, HOWEVER, IT PRODUCES A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT.” HEBREWS 12:11 Recently, I embraced an opportunity to wrestle with God on a core issue in my life. This experience was facilitated through The Crucible Project, a weekend retreat where I joined many other men who want to live out their Christlike masculinity. I wanted the opportunity to experience radical honesty and grace in a safe but challenging environment so I could take my next step in becoming the man I was created to be. This retreat was just that opportunity. It wasn’t an easy experience. Actually, it was really hard. But it was so worth it. Men participate in The Crucible Project for many different reasons. That’s what makes the experience unique. I’ve attended men’s retreats before that have impacted me in positive ways, but none has had the deep impact and healing that I experienced at The Crucible because of the opportunity it gave me to wrestle with God through some of my own personal issues. After talking with men who had participated in this retreat before me, I knew what I wanted to work on at The Crucible. In addition to the core issue that brought me there, I also gained a better perspective about myself. The Lord had been speaking into areas of my life for a long time, and this weekend challenged me to stop denying His truth. There, the Holy Spirit worked on my heart to mature me into a man capable of fully experiencing life with my eyes and ears wide open—to pursue Jesus, my wife, my kids, and friends in a more intentional way than I had been doing.

Another way this retreat helped me was by disciplining me to kill the lies I’ve heard from the Evil One for a long time. I’m not naïve in thinking I’ll never hear those lies again, but I’m confident in the lasting work God did in my heart. Ever since I surrendered my life to Jesus many years ago, I’ve been a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), but my time at The Crucible enabled me to surrender my thoughts and emotions to the Lord in a new way. Now I’m living with a deeper understanding of who I am in Christ and a deeper commitment to integrity, courage, and grace. Every day, I pray for opportunities to talk with guys who want to unlock their God-given passion and potential. Men, we weren’t created to lead lives of quiet desperation! If that’s where you are right now, you can do something about it. You might be ready to sign up for a men’s retreat like The Crucible Project, or you may want to get more involved with one of our ministries at Southeast. In either case, email me at bricca@secc.org and let’s sit down for a cup of coffee. I’ll share my Crucible experience in greater detail and listen to what’s going on in your life right now. It’s no accident that you’re reading this right now. Don’t let this growth opportunity pass you by. The time is now.

BRAD RICCA Director of Ministries Blankenbaker Campus

WHAT’S NEXT? If you want to get serious about growth, accountability, and discipline in your relationship with Jesus, you need a community beside you! Get connected in one of Southeast’s ministries and sign up for groups or retreats at southeastchristian.org/EVENTS.

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GET EQUIPPED Resources to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus

READ Now available at The Living Word

Letters to the Church by Francis Chan

STREAM on RightNow Media

Visit southeastchristian.org/EVENTS to get free access to the biggest video Bible study library in the world!

When Jesus returns, will He find us caring for His brideâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;even more than for our own lives? Letters to the Church reminds us of how powerful and glorious the church used to be, and calls us to once again be the church God intends us to be.

I Am N 6-Part Series from The Voice of the Martyrs The headlines from around the world are staggering as we read about Christians persecuted for their faith. What can we learn from those who risk their lives every day for their faith? How should we best respond spiritually and practically to news reports of persecuted Christians?

Eyes to See 6-Part Series by Shaun Groves Come on a journey to see the world in a different wayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the way God sees it. Shaun Groves helps us take a closer look at our relationships with God, others, ourselves, and the world to see how Jesus restores every aspect of our lives. As seeing leads to loving, this new perspective shows us how God wants us to reflect His love to a world in need.

The Gospel at Work 6-Part Series by Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert Many Christians fall victim to one of the two main problems when it comes to work: either we become idle in our work, or we make an idol of it. Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert unpack the powerful ways the Gospel transforms how we do what we do, discovering the freedom of a work ethic rooted in serving Christ.

NEXT // NOVEMBER 2018

Love Like That by Les Parrott

Find the revolutionary path to success in the ultimate human challenge: truly loving other people. This book shows how Jesus shapes our perspective on who we must become to have healthier relationships: a grace-giver who is mindful, approachable, vulnerable, and empathetic.

COMING UP

Church-wide Happenings at Southeast

Resources to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus

GLOBAL MISSIONS HEALTH CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 8-10 Southeast Christian Church Blankenbaker Campus

Be part of the nation’s largest medical missions conference, with a variety of plenary speakers, breakout sessions, and exhibitors from around the world. This year’s conference theme is human trafficking. To learn more about what you can expect at GMHC, visit southeastchristian.org/stories. Register at medicalmissions.com.

2019 MISSION TRIPS

All Southeast Campuses If you are new to Southeast, Starting Point is your first step to find out more about who we are and how to get connected around here. Registration and additional information are available online.

We have a wide range of short-term opportunities for you to serve with active ministries across the country and around the world! To view our complete list of 2019 mission trips, visit southeastchristian.org/connect/missions.

Find out what’s happening at each of our campuses and register for events at southeastchristian.org/EVENTS.

DECEMBER 7 & 9-14

SOUTHEAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH • BLANKENBAKER CAMPUS

IT’S A FREE, FESTIVE WEEK OF FUN FOR ALL AGES! Join us this December at a winter wonderland of light displays, train rides, and ice-skating rinks, complete with a nightly Christmas program and a live nativity scene.

EVENT TIMES December 7 & 14 • 5:00-10:00 p.m. (Fridays)

December 9-13 • 5:00-9:00 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday)

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IN THE SANCTUARY AT 6:00 & 8:00 P.M. EACH NIGHT.