Southeast Christian NEXT Magazine | October 2018 by Southeast Christian Church

OCTOBER 2018

SOU T HE A S T CHRIS T IAN.ORG

L IGH T

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CONTENTS LIGHT

OCTOBER 2018

ISSUE 24

OUR CAMPUSES

FIRST THINGS FIRST

LIFE @ SOUTHE AST

QUICK QUESTION

SERVE WITH US

WE ARE THE LIGHT

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L I F E , L I G H T, A N D L O V E

I MUS T CONFESS

SHINE!

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AT HOME

ON MY HE ART

The burdens of t his world cannot overcome our everlas t ing joy in Jesus. So, smile!

GE T EQUIPPED

Kyle I dleman gi ves a gl impse into an upcoming sermon series abou t how G od is a t work in our hardship and suf fering.

Celebrate Christmas Together is a power ful way we can showcase t he reason for our hope. How w il l you get involved?

PAG E

WE A R E T HE L I G HT

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.

The good new s abou t Jesus emboldens us to enter t he darknes s of t his world w it h a hear t of love and ser v ice.

A s Chris t ians, how should we na v iga te some of Oc tober ’s darker t hemes?

W hen we bring our sin into t he l ight , Jesus frees us to ex perience t rue peace and joy in Him.

Sou t heas t ’s annual dance for adult s w it h special needs reminds us t ha t G od loves each of us tangibl y and bles ses us uniquel y.

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 Proem Ministries shines a l ight in Poland t hrough camps, church plant ing, Chris t ian educa t ion, and community hel p.

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.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

OUR CAMPUSES

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

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CRE S T WOOD C A MPUS

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eople are born with an affinity for light. We see clearly in its brightness, take delight in its colors, and find comfort in its warmth. Like moths encircling an Autumn bonfire, we’re captivated by the light and naturally drawn toward its presence. The Bible often uses the image of radiant light to describe the glory of our Creator: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) God’s holiness casts no shadows. He has no deep, dark secrets tucked away, no hidden agendas undisclosed. He is good, pure, and perfect in every way, and His presence is our highest joy (Psalm 16:11). Light becomes awfully frightening, however, once you have something to hide. This is the curse of sin in our lives. God made us to dwell in His loving light, but our hearts have grown crooked, sick, and bent toward the shadows. Like cockroaches repelled at the flip of a light switch, we scutter away from God’s holiness and retreat into

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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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isolation, convinced that our self-reliance will shelter our shame and shade us from judgment. We begin to believe the darkness of sin is our own personal sanctuary. In reality, it is our grave. There’s good news, though. The same God who “lives in unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16) approached us as a man, entered into our darkness, and bore the curse of our guilt and shame in the person of Jesus Christ. Although we could never deserve it, having no light in ourselves, God “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14) By the atoning blood of Jesus, slaves of darkness become children of God’s light (Ephesians 5:8). “I am the light of the world,” Jesus said (John 8:12), and His light is neither cold nor condemning. He illuminates our sin in order

to break its power, restoring us to freedom, dignity, and joy in His presence. United to our Savior by faith, we receive a new name and a new calling. In granting us the gift of salvation, our Lord passes His mission onto us. “You are the light of the world” He tells us; “…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16) We were not called into Christ’s light to isolate ourselves from the world’s darkness. Jesus draws us in to send us out, carrying the light of the Gospel—His message of salvation—into our communities and the furthest reaches of the earth. The church is a lampstand (Revelation 1:20) bearing witness in a dark world to the hope, forgiveness, and new life found in Jesus alone, available to everyone who will turn to Him in faith.

One day, we will see God face to face, and the darkness of sin and death will be no more (Revelation 21:22-27). What an inexpressible joy it would be to see our neighbors there beside us! With that hope in sight, may we press on as faithful witnesses, wherever God has called us, before He calls us home. There we will bask in the light of His glory, forever sunning ourselves in His smile.

If our neighbors are going to hear the good news about Jesus, it must come from our mouths. If our coworkers and friends are

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.

to experience the love of Christ, it must be through our example. If people from every tongue, tribe, and nation will bow down before the King of kings (Revelation 7:9), it must be through our witness as His ambassadors. A great task lies before us and a real enemy stands against us. But the light of our Lord will never be overcome (John 1:5). Dawn approaches; Jesus is making all things new.

CHRIS T

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

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LIFE AT SOUTHEAST

/southeastchrist @southeastchrist @southeastchrist southeastchristian.org

A young guest enjoys a refreshing water spray at FamilyPalooza at the Crestwood Campus.

FamilyPalooza at the Blankenbaker Campus was another great day of fun for young and old in the community.

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Pony rides were just one of many attractions at the Southwest Campus FamilyPalooza event on Labor Day.

The Elizabethtown Campus celebrated its one-year anniversary on Sunday, August 19.

The Men’s Main Event kicked off their season with axes, go-carts, games, and a challenge for men in their walk with Christ.

More than 100 people gathered to worship God when the cross was raised at Southeast’s Chapel in the Woods.

“ God’s love for you is not based on what you do, it is based on who you are because of Jesus.” @DaveStone920

Young men and women began their participation with 215, Southeast’s new twoyear Residency program. SOUTHEASTCHRISTIAN.ORG

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

Teaching Pastor Kyle Idleman on what it means to Kiss the Wave What sermon series are you working on now? I’m doing a two-week sermon series in early November called Kiss the Wave. The name comes from a 19th Century English pastor, Charles Spurgeon, who said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” It’s inevitable in life that we’re going to be caught in storms and have big waves crash against us. A lot of times we try to avoid those waves, or run from them, or just try to endure them. But this quote challenges us to embrace those struggles, not just endure them. Because those are the things that push us toward God’s grace. The very wave you have been afraid of is the wave that teaches you awareness of God’s power in your life.

It’s easy in hindsight to see how those hard things lead us to God. What can we do while we’re in the thick of it? When we’re facing hardships, the most natural thing is for us to look for a reason. We want to know why these things are happening. Sometimes it’s because of our sin. Sometimes we’re being hit with the waves of other people’s sin. Sometimes, we just won’t know why. But rather than looking for a reason, we can look for a purpose. It’s focusing on God, the Rock of Ages (Isaiah 26:4), rather than on the wave. When we search for the reason, we’re looking backward. But if we’re intentionally discovering God’s purpose through that season, we get to look forward. There’s an analogy that pretty well summarizes the idea. Imagine some first-time parents who are given a script of their new baby’s life. They have five minutes to edit it.

WHAT'S

They’re going to want to go through it and take out the heartache, the brokenness, the loss, and the struggles. Because they love that baby, they want to protect it from hard things. But because God loves us, He uses those struggles to shape us, to equip us, and ultimately to draw us into His love. What we see as a hardship might very well be the tool God uses to sanctify and shape us.

What else are you thinking about in connection with this series? Kissing the wave is not kissing darkness. It’s not being thankful for a fallen world. It’s putting the focus on the Rock of Ages. We want to be thankful—not for all circumstances, but in all circumstances, because we know about God’s redeeming work. I think of Joseph. After he had been reunited with his brothers, he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 ESV). He still acknowledged that their intent was evil, but in many ways, that just magnified God’s redeeming work. That’s even true for my own sin. If I’m experiencing a wave that I essentially created, I am not thankful for my sin, but I am thankful that my sin knocked me down to a place where I recognized my need for a Savior. If I look back on sin that has caused damage in my heart and relationships, I know I love God all the more because in the waves created by my sin, He picked me up. At the end of the day, people can go one of two ways. Either they’ll suffer and turn away from God, or they’ll suffer and find how desperately they need Him. This is about choosing to recognize His sovereign faithfulness.

What waves in your life have pushed you toward the Rock of Ages? Share your story and read about how other people have experienced God's grace through their struggles at southeastchristian.org/stories.

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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

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS TOGETHER: A LOOK BACK AT LAST YEAR BY STEPHEN PURICELLI

elieve it or not, we’re not many weeks away from Celebrate Christmas Together 2018! This 7-night, free event gives us a great

us to showcase the reason for our hope and the reason that we celebrate. We’ve got everything to be hopeful for, because Jesus came into

opportunity as a church to shine the light brightly on Jesus for our families, neighbors, and community.

the world to save us from sin and redeem us as God’s children!

Too often, as Christians, we are characterized as the opposite of celebratory. We might even be seen as dull, listless, and just not fun! Celebrate Christmas Together is a chance for

Without a doubt, the best way to experience Celebrate Christmas Together is through serving. I invite you to get your hands dirty during this event, get behind the scenes, and help showcase our joy in Christ to the

community. Lifelong connections and eternal impact can be made by serving at events like this. Don’t miss out on this one! Join us by serving this December as we Celebrate Christmas Together!

STEPHEN PURICELLI Volunteer Engagement Leader

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS ROWENA CHERRY “One evening, I was the ticket taker at the train ride when a lady approached me with her son’s three children. They had lost their dad on that day one year before, so spending that time together at our Christmas event was a blessing for them. She was so grateful and I was almost in tears. This made it even more special to me, that I got to serve this family.”

RUTH BEWLEY “As I memorized God’s Word and kept it in my heart, serving as one of the readers in the live nativity scene, the meaning of Christmas became deeper and more real to me. The Holy Spirit moved me to boldly face my fears and read Scripture in Spanish, using my budding skill to reach more people in our community. Dave Stone later mentioned in a sermon how a couple from Peru perked up when they heard God’s Word in Spanish!”

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CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS TOGETHER 2017 BY THE NUMBERS » 40,000+ people attended over 7 nights » 2,000+ volunteers helped make it happen » 5 Local Mission Partners joined us at the Christmas Village » 16 theatrical performances reminded us of the reason for the season » 174 actors served in the performances and throughout the event » 5,256 train rides chugged along the Christmas Park » 8,575 ice skaters glided on the indoor rinks » 2,500 snowballs were tossed in the Snowball Frenzy » 7,000 candy canes were savored » 1 live nativity scene was complete with sheep, a camel, and a donkey!

HOW TO SERVE AT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS TOGETHER 2018:

» »

G o to southeastchristian.org/serve

C omplete the volunteer application, if you haven’t done so already.

Choose the day and area where you would like to serve.

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We Are the Light Illuminating the dark spaces and dark places of the world By Luke Chase

“In comparison to God’s rich love and mercy, is there really a place that is too dark and too dangerous?”

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lashlights are not useful or effective on a bright, sunny day. Even young kids understand this. They do not take them outside to shine in the sun. Rather, they build tents to shield the light, or they shut the closet door and turn off the lights so that the light from their flashlight will work best. Light shines brightest in the dark. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16) According to Jesus, we are like flashlights and our job is to light a way and make visible the path out of the darkness. If we believe Jesus when He called us the “light of the world,” then we can confidently enter the dark places and dark spaces of our world to let our light shine, trusting that He is with us.

SCARED OF THE DARK I can remember as a child not wanting to be alone, and I especially did not want to be alone in the dark. Darkness was a little scary and it felt dangerous. It often made me feel tense, stressed, and anxious. Even now, as I am pushing the big 4-0, having been married over 15 years, and with 4 children of my own, you would think I would have this whole darkness thing figured out. However, darkness can still have the exact impact on me now as it did when I was a young boy. I still do not like the darkness. I would certainly prefer to avoid dark places. I prefer light. Yet as a Christ follower, I am compelled to enter the spiritually dark places created by the sin of our broken world. One of the top reasons that I hear from Christians explaining why they can’t, or won’t, enter dark places is the possibility of danger. Trust me when I say I feel you, I know the struggle; but when I consider the love of God that has been so graciously given to me through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, I reconsider. In comparison to His rich love and mercy given directly to me, is there really a place that is too dark and too dangerous? Psalm 119:105 tells us, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” As we enter into the dark places and dark spaces of our world, God is with us to guide us,

to light up our path, and to shine out of us, through the power and working of His word and the Holy Spirit. We are not alone as we go to the dark places of our world. In fact, I believe it is in the dark places and dark spaces of our world where we will find Jesus. He is already there showing comfort, mercy, and love to the broken and hurting. He is waiting on His Church to join Him in the darkness so that, together, we can shine bright as we show and share His love. Consider my favorite lines in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe: “Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.” “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” Jesus is the King, I tell you. And if you choose to follow this King, He will lead you into dark places because His lost children are there. His mission is not safe; there is danger, there is risk, and there will be pain and suffering. But there will never be any doubt that He is good, and that every cost is worth it for His Kingdom.

Continued on page 12 >>

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WE ARE THE LIGHT // Continued from page 11

“It is in the Gospel of Jesus where we are humbled, convicted, and emboldened to enter the dark places and dark spaces of our world.” REMEMBER THE GOSPEL I have come to believe that one of our biggest challenges is our forgetfulness of the greatness of the Gospel. When we forget the Gospel, we then live in fear and hostility towards the darkness, when in truth we should see dark places through the merciful and loving eyes of Jesus—which is how He sees us. I am convinced that we Christians do not need more resources to help us figure out how to love our neighbors. We do not need another blog with five ways to be a Gospel neighbor. We do not need a formula for how to throw a cool block party. You all can do that and you can do those things well. But I believe we need to daily preach the Gospel to ourselves and to one another. The Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to the world (Romans 1:16). It is in the Gospel of Jesus that we find peace, comfort, love, forgiveness, and acceptance. It is in the Gospel of Jesus where we are humbled, convicted, and emboldened to enter the dark places and dark spaces of our world, to give our lives away, to give everything we have to loving and serving our neighbors as Jesus has loved and served us. As you pray and consider how you can be a light in this dark world, I encourage you to preach the Gospel message to yourself daily. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

LUKE CHASE Community Pastor

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Love Where You Are @ School Sunday, October 28 • 5:30 p.m. Blankenbaker Campus • FH 2

All teachers, aides, bus drivers, and administrators at area schools are invited to join us for a night of encouragement and growth as we support you in your challenging and vital roles. Enjoy a great meal, a time of worship, and a powerful speaker with other teachers and staff who have been “Sent to Love” in Kentuckiana school districts. Come to be equipped, encouraged, and commissioned as you shine the love of Christ among the next generation. Register at www.CEAI.org/2018LoveTeachers.

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LIFE, LIGHT, AND LOVE IN A WOR LD OV ER SH A DOW ED BY DA R K NESS , TA K E H E A RT I N T H E L IGH T W HO H A S OV E RC OM E By Ben Cross love Fall. I love it for a lot of reasons: cooler weather, college football, and chili—just to name a few. In the midst of all that, though, a few other things have found their way into our Fall routine that seem a little out of place. The spiritual dimension of our lives is very real and very important. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul tells Christians that we need to put on “armor” because there is a spiritual battle going on around us all the time. Scripture also tells us that Satan is in the business of trying to “devour” Christians (1 Peter 5:8). In fact, while we sometimes think about the devil like a little red guy with funny-looking horns and a harmless-looking pitchfork, the Bible describes him as a snake (Genesis 3), a lion (1 Peter 5), and a dragon (Revelation 12). It’s serious business. Having that in mind, let me say a little about Halloween. I don’t know if you know this, but Halloween can be a pretty contentious issue among Christians. Some Christians are adamantly opposed to joining in any kind of celebration because of the holiday's roots and because of some of the ways people celebrate. On the other hand, some Christians are just as adamant that we should stop being so

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worried about accidentally getting “infected” by the world around us, and that Halloween actually provides a fantastic opportunity to be friendly, hospitable, and loving. It’s a complex issue, but an important one. As you read this article, I hope you feel the tension between both positions, and I hope you see that I’m not concerned with taking a side. I’m concerned with trying to live in the tension between two options, both of which have the potential to swing the pendulum a little too far. So grab a bowl of chili and a mug of apple cider, and let’s talk about a few areas where we can be especially vigilant this Fall.

A QUICK HISTORY LESSON Centuries ago, some cultures used to mark the beginning of their New Year on November 1. Since it coincided closely with the coming of Winter (which brought with it cold weather, the end of harvest, and increased sickness), the middle of Fall became a marker for a time when life and death came face to face. In between October 31 and November 1, the light, life, and love of Summer gave way to the darkness, death, and fear of Winter.

Soon, it became customary to believe that on that in-between day, dead things actually came back to interact with alive things. One thing led to another, and the beginnings of Halloween were established. Again, this is not an article in which I’m going to tell you that you should or shouldn’t celebrate Halloween. Halloween can be a good excuse to have fun with family and friends, and it can be a great way to engage your neighbors and get to know them. I mean, think about it: they’re literally ringing your doorbell to talk to you all night! In many ways, this is a cultural holiday we Christians can be excited about. Having neighbors coming out of their houses, being open to conversations, and being silly with one another is something we should not miss. Halloween really is a unique opportunity—whether you like the holiday or don’t, whether you personally do anything to celebrate or not. Even in light of everything I’m about to suggest in this article, I think we as Christians are missing out if we’re not using Halloween in some way as a time to build up the relational capital we have invested in our non-Christian neighbors. With that in mind, what the rest of this article is about is what it means to be God’s people in the face of Halloween's unique challenges and opportunities.

DEATH Silly decorations like skeletons and gravestones make death just a normal part of the month of October. While there may be nothing harmful about decorations like that in and of themselves, they normalize and commercialize something that the Bible calls our enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). Death was the consequence of sin and was the basis of Satan’s first lie (Genesis 3:1-5). Death is what Jesus overcame through His resurrection so that we don’t have to be afraid of it or focus on it (1 Corinthians 15:19). Does this mean that giving out (and eating) candy on October 31 is wrong? No! But Christians probably shouldn’t make light of something that Satan uses to deceive people and something that Jesus came to destroy. One of the most significant parts of our Christian testimony in this world is how we can face the reality of death without fear—because we trust in a God who gives new life.

DARKNESS In the Fall, it gets darker earlier and stays dark longer. Darkness is not inherently bad—it’s just part of this life. But the Bible frequently refers to “darkness” as a metaphor for evil (John 1:5; John 8:12; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:8, 11) and talks about “light” as the Christcentered alternative. This time of year, I fear there’s a tendency to ignore or even embrace things that are “dark” rather than seeking out and embracing the light. I don’t know how exactly to tell you to live that out this Fall, but I do know that part of our role as the people of God in the world is to shine light and to live in the light—not to participate in darkness. Where is the line? I don’t know. But I think we should do everything we can to live in a way that points people to the God of light.

FEAR Things like horror movies, ghosts, “haunted” houses (where the whole point is to go in and get scared), and scary costumes go handin-hand with the month of October. Now, let me be clear again: I’m not trying to tell you exactly what you should or shouldn’t do this October. I trust the Holy Spirit to direct each of us according to God’s will. All I’m trying to point out is that we tend to elevate the idea of fear during the month of October. Here’s my problem with that: the Bible tells us that God wants to get rid of fear (1 John 4:18). The command to “be not afraid” appears dozens of times in the Bible. Also, as a pastor, I know that fear is one of the most common things that keeps people from living in the freedom and joy of Christ. (Honestly, I don’t even need to be a pastor to tell you that—I know it because it’s true about me, too!)

“ BECAUSE OF JESUS, WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR .” I know that our deepest fears are not the same thing as getting startled by someone around a corner in a “haunted house.” But I also know that playing with an emotion that the Bible commands against most frequently is probably not such a good idea. We follow a God of love, and “perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:18)

TAKE HEART I can imagine a few different responses to an article like this. You might be upset that I’m pointing out some negative aspects of a holiday you enjoy. You might be upset that I didn’t make my suggestions strict enough regarding a certain holiday that you don’t like. Or you might be confused or nervous about the whole thing and what we’re supposed to do about it. Whatever you’re thinking right now, let me try to sum up the whole thing this way: take heart. In John 16, Jesus is giving His last speech to His disciples before He gets arrested, tried, and crucified. He’s facing death, their hope seems to be going dark, and I’m sure the disciples were afraid of what was going to happen to Jesus (and them) that night. In the midst of that death, darkness, and fear, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) I don’t know exactly how you should respond to this article or exactly how you should celebrate (or not) this October. Life as a Christian in this world is complex and requires wisdom and discernment. But I know this: Because of Jesus, we have nothing to fear. In Christ, we are people of life—not death. We are people of light—not darkness. And we are people of joy, peace, and love—not fear.

BEN CROSS Pastor of Residency & Theology

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For once you were but now you have li So live as people light within you pr is good and right a determine what p

e full of darkness, ight from the Lord. of light! For this roduces only what and true. Carefully pleases the Lord. EPHESIANS 5:8-10 NLT

I Must Confess BRINGING OUR SIN INTO THE LIGHT FREES US TO EXPERIENCE TRUE PEACE AND JOY By Susie Barnett

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“Our rotting possessions will testify against us,” Kyle Idleman said. He was preaching from James 5:3 (NLT): “Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.” There it was. No denying it. That weekend, I left the Blankenbaker Campus Sanctuary with tears streaming down my face. I was wrecked. Those words would haunt me for weeks and months. In my mind I knew the Bible intends to bear God’s gracious weight of conviction upon us, but hearing those words set my heart on a journey of confession. It was time to divulge the full extent to which I’d used shopping to try and fill my heart—something only God can do. Several years earlier, I had mentioned to some ladies at a Bible study how I struggled with shopping, how in this pursuit I’d spent far too much money putting together the perfect outfit with the perfect shoes and the perfect bag. “Put your credit cards away,” someone suggested flatly. Wow, I never thought of that! Really? When I shared this struggle, I knew I couldn’t simply resort to more discipline to solve my problem. I wanted to get at the real root of my spending struggle. Fast forward to early 2018, and those words preached from the book of James gutted me to the core. This is when I found the problem beneath the problem. It’s also when I began to experience the true, Godly sorrow of repentance. As I looked back on all that God had entrusted to me over the years, I realized I wasn’t stewarding these gifts in a responsible way. Instead, I had only thought of myself and what I could buy. It was all about me, me, me! Now I had become aware of all the opportunities I had missed to serve others with my money and support God’s work in the lives of His people. Something needed to change. I prayed, “God, help me to seek first Your Kingdom, and please give me the desires of my heart.” Don’t get me wrong—I wasn’t praying with my fingers crossed, hoping a Range Rover would miraculously show up in my driveway. I wanted to desire what Jesus desires. And so, in addition to faithfully praying, I knew I needed to bring my sin into the light. I wanted to

experience the real peace and joy that only God can bring. I wanted to break free and leave my chains behind. With this in mind, I confessed my spending habits to two close friends whom I deeply trust. With them, there was no condemnation. Instead, my friends brought me such relief with their caring words of encouragement. The chains were gone; the light flooded in. Interestingly enough, my overwhelming desire to buy things went away after my confession. Up until that point, I’d developed a habit of internet shopping where I’d simply place things in my shopping cart, knowing I could buy them if I wanted to. That ended, too. After surrendering my struggle to the Lord and allowing the light of accountability to shine in, that little voice saying, “Me, me, me!” just wasn’t that appealing anymore. The words from an old hymn come to mind: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.” Our Savior is quick to forgive and eager to carry us out of the dark into His light. Confession is one of the good gifts God offers us—a gift we’re sometimes hesitant to open. But we need this. While it’s easy to go off course, I know I can count on my family and friends to hold me accountable, as long as I bring my sin and anxieties into His glorious light.

SUSIE BARNETT Southeast Member Blankenbaker Campus

WHAT’S NEXT?

Sin thrives in the darkness of isolation. That’s why we need close, Christ-centered relationships where trust and accountability thrive. One way you can build strong, Christian relationships is by connecting with one of the many groups meeting at Southeast’s campuses and in the surrounding community. To learn more about our groups, visit southeastchristian.org.

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Shine! A NIGHT FOR CELEBRATION AND JOY By Carla Williams

ravis Bailey was the homecoming king in high school. His peers good-naturedly referred to him as “The Mayor,” because he knew everyone and was universally liked. He naturally draws people into his joy. He’s also a proud member of Southeast’s Disabilities Ministry.

The first time “The Mayor” came to Shine, he was treated like a king. Shine is an annual prom-like event for those with developmental disabilities in the Louisville area. It’s a huge night of celebration and joy. The Blankenbaker Campus is transformed to match the year’s theme, and hundreds of volunteers come together to create one memorable night. There’s dancing, karaoke, games, and a full salon to pamper the guests like royalty. Travis came for the first time in 2016. When his family pulled into the parking lot, they were greeted with the welcoming cheers of countless volunteers. With the contagious joy of a massive celebration ringing in his ears, Travis rolled through the crowds in his wheelchair, right up to where Senior Pastor Dave Stone was waiting to give him a high five. Travis brought him in for a hug instead. The experience inside was just as magical. The familiar Atrium had been outfitted with a country fair theme. Guests and volunteers were decked out in plaid shirts and cowboy hats, and their smiles of delight filled the whole building with excitement. After a night of spectacular fun, Travis had no doubt that Southeast Christian Church loves and values him. He couldn’t wait to come back the next year. Travis has the advantage of being able to communicate verbally. Despite his paralysis and other developmental Travis Bailey and his date arrive at Shine 2017.

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Crowds cheer for guests at Shine 2017.

limitations, he can tell his family and friends what he needs. He can talk about how he feels, and he can explore some level of spiritual discussions. For many of the guests at Shine, this isn’t the case. But when they come to Shine, they don’t have to be verbal to be able to communicate the pure joy they’re experiencing. For these sweet children of God, Shine is a rare and lovely gift. It’s a night to celebrate who they are, and an event designed specifically to let them reflect God’s light with all their smiles, dance moves, and contagious laughter.

A TEAM EFFORT There are few events that bring so many different people together like Shine does. Area churches, sports teams, celebrities, and families fill the parking lots to welcome the guests—waving signs, wearing costumes, and cheering with abandon. Hundreds of Southeast’s volunteers serve as escorts for the night,

and their entire role is to give their date a great experience. There are people in place to help with every facet of the event. One of those faithful volunteers is Chris Baxter. Several years ago, she attended a ministry volunteer fair at Southeast. She was looking for ways to get involved and connected with the church. Though she didn’t have any special reason to approach the Disabilities Ministry table, she found herself inexplicably drawn there. Chris has been serving with the ministry now for more than 15 years. Chris has served at Shine almost every year since it began. For her, participating in Shine has become as natural as celebrating any other holiday throughout the year. There’s Christmas season, Easter season, and Shine season. After many years enjoying the event as an escort, she found her true niche in

Tim Tebow learned about Shine when he was a guest speaker at Southeast. Folks from his foundation came to check it out and learn more. Now, the Tim Tebow Foundation sponsors Night to Shine events in more than 500 churches around the world!

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Shine! // continued from page 21

the Fireside Room, which becomes a catch-all problem-solving command center for the night. There, she combines her gifts for organization with her love of interacting with the disabilities community. She feels certain there’s a perfect fit for everybody. It doesn’t matter how many times Chris goes— the tangible joy on that night never gets old. She comes back year after year because those huge smiles mean everything. Like so many other Shine volunteers, she has a hard time putting the blessing of the night into words. The experience is simply too transcendent.

WHY IT MATTERS Shine is easily one of the biggest events Southeast hosts each year, and it takes countless hours, meetings, plans, and volunteers to put it together. But all of that is worth it because of the value it provides to the guests and their families, the volunteers, and the entire church. For many of the guests who attend, Shine is the highlight of their year. Even before they leave the event, they’re already looking forward to the next one. They get to have a big party, but they also get to see all their friends each year. Guests come from all over the community, not just within Southeast, and it’s a fabulous opportunity to demonstrate God’s love with many who don’t experience anything else so impactful the rest of the year. For the parents and caregivers, it’s a chance for a well-deserved break, of course, but it’s really so much more than that. Shine provides the families an opportunity to hear “This person that you love so much—we love them, too! We can’t wait to celebrate them!” These families may often experience pity and insensitivity, but Shine is the opposite of that for their loved ones. It’s an affirmation of some amazing people whom God loves deeply and individually. Shine guests enjoy a night of fun and celebration.

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Shine also has a powerful impact on those who volunteer. Like so many areas where someone willingly serves another person, the volunteers at Shine tend to leave more blessed than they could ever have expected. They gain compassion, humility, perspective, empathy, kindness, gentleness, joy, and wisdom through serving at Shine. They’ll leave the event exhausted, but in the best kind of way. No one can serve as a volunteer at Shine without having it challenge and change them deeply.

“ Shine is a night to celebrate the disabilities community, and an event designed specifically to let them reflect God’s light with all their smiles, dance moves, and contagious laughter.” Shine is not an event that benefits only those who participate. The entire Southeast family is blessed through the event. We don’t just get to celebrate a community of people—we desperately need those people. God’s Church includes those with many different abilities, gifts, and experiences, and when we embrace the disabilities community, we’re gaining valuable insight and unity. We’re all here for one another.

Friday, October 12 6:00-10:00 p.m. Blankenbaker Campus

WHAT’S NEXT? Shine Volunteer Training Sunday, September 30 • 4:30 p.m. Blankenbaker Campus • FH 2

Senior Pastor Dave Stone greets a guest at Shine 2017.

It’s this very belief in the value of people with special needs that fuels Southeast’s Disabilities Ministry. Travis Bailey’s family was attending Southeast, but it wasn’t until they became connected to the Disabilities Ministry that their faith grew. Now, they’re members with the church, they’re involved in classes and groups, and they see steady growth with their walk with Christ. Travis was even baptized in a special chair during Southeast’s Baptism Weekend in January 2017.

Travis loves his church. He volunteers weekly in Café 920 and eagerly joins his Bible class every weekend. Travis engages with anyone; he’s never met a stranger. He lights up everything around him just by being himself every single day. But on one special night of every year, he really gets to Shine.

Find registration information for participants and volunteers at southeastchristian.org/EVENTS.

Carla Williams Story Curator/Writer

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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!

“Camp Out”

October’s Challenge Sometimes we don’t have a handle on our circumstances. We don’t have what it takes to make things better. We don’t have the answers, energy, wisdom, patience, solution, or way out of a situation. But, we know the One who does. That’s what we’re talking about with our preschoolers this month. No need to worry, be afraid, or feel alone. God’s got it!

OCTOBER 6/7: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Daniel 3:10-28 God is always with me. OCTOBER 13/14: Hagar Genesis 21:14-20 God hears me and gives me what I need. OCTOBER 20/21: Moses in the Basket Exodus 1:21-2:10; 12:31-42 God’s plan is perfect. OCTOBER 27/28: Moses and the Water Exodus 17:1-7 God’s got it.

Memory Verse

“...God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT

Engage Your Child BABY: When you greet your baby in the mornings this month, say, “Good morning! Are you ready for a great day? I know you are, because God’s got it!”

TODDLER: Cuddle up with your child this month and pray, “Dear God, I love this child so much! Please help me trust that You’ve got it, especially when it comes to the future. I am so thankful You are with us wherever we go. You are our comfort and hope. We love you, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

PRESCHOOL: As you drive, tell your child to look out the window and name places as you pass them. Each time he/she names a place, ask, “Is God with you when you go there? Yes! God is with you wherever you go!” © 2018 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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Elementary (K-5)

“More or Less? The Choice Is Yours!”

Memory Verse

October’s Challenge Everything we have comes from God. He is faithful to provide what we need. God has proven time and again that we can trust Him no matter what. We can choose to complain or be jealous of others, or we can choose to respond with contentment, knowing that God has a plan for our lives.

Life Application Contentment is deciding to be okay with what you have.

OCTOBER 6/7: Be Content Philippians 4:11-13 God can help you be okay no matter what. OCTOBER 13/14: Don’t Be Controlled by Money Hebrews 13:5 Stuff can’t keep you happy. OCTOBER 20/21: King Ahab and Naboth’s Vineyard 1 Kings 21:1-19, 27 Wanting what others have can make you miserable. OCTOBER 27/28: Israelites Long for Egypt Exodus 16:2-21; 17:1-7 Don’t miss out on what you have now.

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against wanting to have more and more things. Life is not made up of how much a person has.’” Luke 12:15 NIrV®

Engage Your Child MORNING TIME: Write a note on your child’s door or mirror that says, “Decide to be okay with what you have. I am SO GLAD I have you!”

ON A DRIVE Just for fun, have everyone suggest things they would buy if they had all the money in the world. Then, everyone can list all of the things you currently have that meet all of your needs and more. Remind your kids (and yourself!), “Don’t miss out on what you already have now!”

AT BEDTIME: Read Hebrews 13:5. Whether you have a lot or a little, it’s easy to want more to make you happy. God made us so that stuff can never fill us. His love is the only thing that can give us true joy. Pray that God will help you remember that it’s a relationship with Him, not the silly things of the world, that gives us joy. © 2018 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

OCTOBER 6/7: Remember and Celebrate: Feast of Passover Remind your children that God still delivers us today. Ask them if they know how.

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

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

OCTOBER 13/14: The Golden Calf • Exodus 12:1-15:21 Discuss why waiting for God’s plan is always best. OCTOBER 20/21: Wandering in the Wilderness • Numbers 9:15-23 Pray about some of the ways you need to trust God’s control over your lives and circumstances. OCTOBER 27/28: Jericho • Joshua 1-6 When has God shown Himself faithful to your family? Questions from TruStory At Home Weekly ©2018 by David C Cook. Used by permission of publisher. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.

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AT HOME // Continued from page 25

By Mandy Rick,

NextGen Girls Ministry Associate, Indiana Campus

ave you ever asked yourself, “What is my purpose?” Most of us ask at some point, but we tend to live life so routinely that our purpose is forgotten and we live life accidentally—just going through the motions. If we don’t recall our purpose, our life loses meaning and motivation.

STUDENTS

ASK: As followers of Jesus, our purpose is to love God, love people, and make disciples who make disciples. But for middle and high school students, what does that really look like? You’re still figuring out who you are, what you like/dislike, and who your friends are. Your brain isn’t even fully developed. It seems like living on purpose is easier to figure out as an adult. But if you ask your parents, I would guess this is something they wish they would have thought about at your age.

Ask your parents what they felt like their purpose was when they were your age.

PARENTS

LOOK: Jesus was the most intentional man who ever lived. We can learn a great deal from how He lived on purpose if we simply look deeper into His story to find ways He lived intentionally.

READ JOHN 4:1-4. Where was Jesus going? Where did He say He had to go?

READ JOHN 4:5-30. Whom did Jesus encounter in this story? Why do you think Jesus asked questions He already knew the answers to?

READ JOHN 4:39-42. What was the result of Jesus talking to the woman? What if Jesus had chosen not to go through Samaria?

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Be honest! Get real with your kids about where you were at their age and how you lived life. If you made mistakes, share them. Your teens need to know that you are a real person too. When we look back on life, it’s easy to see where we failed to live on purpose. A telltale sign could be mistakes we’ve made, lessons we’ve learned, missed opportunities, or consequences we had to face.

If you don’t know much about Jews and Samaritans, it might be hard to see Jesus’ intentionality in this story. Here’s a little background: Jews hated Samaritans. They saw them as “half-breeds” and it was unacceptable to interact with them, especially for men to interact with women. Most Jews, when traveling from Judea to Galilee, would choose a longer route to avoid going through Samaria. So, when Jesus said they had to go through Samaria, His disciples had to be thinking, “Why in the world would we go through there?!” Jesus knew. He knew there would be a woman at the well to whom He needed to reveal Himself. He knew her life story before He asked. He knew she was there in the heat of the day because nobody else would be there to judge her. He knew that by impacting her life, many more lives would be changed. How did Jesus know all of this? Because He lived on purpose— always seeking to do the will of His Father.

THINK: Do you begin your days by asking, “God, what do You have for me today?” Do you follow through with what God wants you to do (love Him, love people, and make disciples) even if it means others might think you’re crazy? What could be the impact if you chose to live on purpose every day? In middle and high school, it can be tempting to think your purpose is to be the #1 athlete, the most popular, the smartest, or to have the most attractive boyfriend or girlfriend. But if you remember your God-given purpose—to love God, love people, and make disciples—you can be more intentional in how you play sports, how you interact with friends, how you achieve good grades, your dating relationships, and more.

LIVE: Create habits so that your life is lived on purpose, not by accident! For one month, pray this simple prayer every morning: “God, what do You have for me today?” See how He opens your eyes to see His purpose as you go through your day. Find one thing you can do weekly to be more intentional. You could write a note to someone you wouldn’t normally talk to, buy someone lunch and ask to hear their story, or ask your waiter, barista, or cashier how their day is going and really listen. Get creative!

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MISSIONS IN MIND M e e t So ut he a s t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Mi s s i o n Part n ers

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By Justin Timmins & Gina Wells

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”John 13:34-35 t’s foundational to the Christian faith that our lives reflect the love of Christ. We are called to care for children, the poor, and the broken. At Proem Ministries, we passionately believe in these principles of ministry, so we strive to love and serve our communities in Poland in the same way Jesus loved His community.

While Christianity has a rich history in the nation of Poland, dating back to AD 966, many Poles today claim only a nominal faith. Therefore, the staff at Proem understands that relationships are the best way to show the love of Jesus with the people here. Our ministry has grown from serving 150 kids at our first camp in 1990 to nearly 2,500 kids annually from Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, Israel, and Ireland. Proem’s Christian Center is located 60 miles from Warsaw in the village of Zakosciele, and also serves the surrounding communities of Lodz, Tomaszow, and Piotrkow. After almost 30 years of service to Christ, Proem has grown to focus on four main areas of ministry: camps, church planting, Christian education, and community help. Each year at our camps, youth, families, and volunteers are presented with the Gospel of

God’s grace as they enjoy sports, arts, and language-themed camps. This area of ministry also includes retreats and outreach events, such as Journey to Bethlehem and Road to Jerusalem, where we share about Jesus with thousands of people annually. Along with our camps, Proem is pursuing a 25-year church planting plan to reach the cities we serve. So far, we have planted one church with two campuses, located in the villages of Tomaszow and Lodz. These church plants are beacons of light and hope to their communities, providing opportunities for fellowship and worship services. Proem also invests in the next generation of Polish children and families by providing quality education and care. Because education creates a natural setting for building relationships and laying the groundwork for sharing the Gospel, we opened the Tomy Education Center in 2006, reaching students from preschool through 11th grade. We’re excited to say that the Tomy Center has become one of the top schools in our region! Finally, community help is Proem’s newest area of ministry, focused on service, love, and worldwide transformation. This initiative supports local and international outreach events, family counseling, and assisting families in need.

None of this would be possible without God’s provision of valuable partners to serve with us. We love Southeast, and we’re especially grateful for the committed relationship we have cultivated over the years. Together, we’re advancing God’s Kingdom in Poland and beyond! If you would like to get involved with us at Proem Ministries, here are some ways to connect: Pray: Please join us in praying for the ministries and staff at Proem, and for the youth and families whom we serve daily. Most importantly, pray that Jesus’ name is known in all we do and say. Send: More than 80 staff members and missionaries serve with Proem. Thanks to your faithful tithes and offerings at church, Southeast can continue to financially support the ministry of Proem in several ways, including camp scholarships and church planting. Go: Will you join us in changing lives today? Serve on a mission trip or internship, or consider long-term missionary service. For more information, visit our website at proemministries.org.

Justin Timmins Proem USA Staff

Gina Wells Proem USA Staff

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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

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—BUDDY THE ELF

I have a confession to make. Like the character Buddy in the movie Elf, I am a loose cannon when it comes to smiling. Yup! Nine times out of ten, if you run into me I will greet you with a smile. I like to acknowledge others by looking at them straight on and giving them a glimpse of my pearly whites. Sometimes I just raise my eyebrows, nod, and turn the corners of my mouth up as if to say, “Hi, I see you.” My daughter likes to make fun of me for how often I grin. Sometimes we’ll be watching TV together and she’ll catch me smiling (unknowingly) at the fictional characters in the show we’re watching. She never fails to point it out, and then we have a good laugh. If you still need convincing that I’m the ultimate smiler, you should know about a certain person named Rachel Smiley. One of my friends is an author, and she’s been working on a new novel. She shared with me that I am the inspiration behind one character in particular. That’s right! In her upcoming book, my character is called Rachel Smiley! Case closed. (Isn’t that a hoot?)

people think Jesus looked!), He usually appears solemn and serious. I get that—I mean, our Lord did carry the weight of the whole sinful world on His shoulders! But, even in spite of that infinite burden, I really think Jesus was a smiler, too. I can picture Him walking through the streets of Galilee, giving a tender smile and knowing nod to everyone He passed. Jesus knew the words of Proverbs 15:13, and I’m certain He took them seriously: “A glad heart makes a cheerful face…” We live in a dark and broken world, and life here is often difficult. Our problems can become obstacles to our hope. If we aren’t careful, we may allow temporary difficulties to steal our light and joy. As a result, our face reflects the sorrow of the world around us, rather than the Word of God that is alive in us. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” So, if you and I run into one another out there in this messy world, would you do me a favor? Turn that frown upside down! Smile like you just got away with something! Smile, because the everlasting joy within you is greater than any burden of this world.

ROMANS 15:13

Many times, my smiles are met with sarcasm. Other times they are met with an air of annoyance. But every now and then, I get a genuine grin in return. I like to remember Mother Teresa’s words: “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing...” I’ve noticed that whenever I see a painting of Jesus (or, I should say, a painting of how some

JENNIFER CHOATE Women’s Ministry Leader Southwest Campus

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

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Visit southeastchristian.org/EVENTS to get free access to the biggest video Bible study library in the world! Look over to the next page to learn more.

The Book of Ephesians

9-Part Series

READ

Now available at The Living Word

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a survival manual—it equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of Jesus Christ. Pastor and author J. D. Greear walks us through this powerful letter that encourages Christians to live well. We’ve been lifted out of the graveyard of sin and called to shout the light of the Gospel into a darkened world.

Take Heart by Matt Chandler In the Western world, we’re coming back to the place where Christ’s church can thrive—at the margins of society. In this stirring, passionate book, discover why we need Christian courage like never before and learn how to live with compassion and conviction, able to look around positively in a dark world and reach out confidently with the Gospel of Christ. In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character by Jen Wilkin By exploring ten characteristics of who God is, this book helps us to understand who God intends for us to be. Through Christ, the perfect reflection of the image of God, we will discover how God’s own attributes impact how we live, leading to freedom and purpose as we follow His will and are conformed to His image. More than a Carpenter by Josh & Sean McDowell This inspirational classic is now updated with a chapter that addresses faith-related questions commonly raised today. A former skeptic and his son examine the evidence about Jesus. Is He really the Lord He claimed to be? And how can we know for sure?

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The Lightlings In this richly illustrated story, R. C. Sproul weaves an allegorical tale that captures the essence of the Biblical story of redemption in a manner that will fascinate and delight children. In the end, children will understand why some people fear light more than darkness, but also why we never need to fear the darkness again.

COMING UP

Church-wide Happenings at Southeast

Resources to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus

Indiana Campus & Crestwood Campus October 13/14 Weekend La Grange Campus Sunday, October 14 Blankenbaker Campus October 27/28 Weekend Southwest Campus & Elizabethtown Campus Sunday, October 28 During Worship Services We want to partner with you to build a healthy home for your children. Begin your baby’s lifetime journey with Jesus by celebrating at one of our dedication services for children up to 24 months old. Children’s programming available. Details and registration deadlines are available online.

All Southeast Campuses New around here? We want to meet you! Starting Point is a great first step to get connected and find out more about Southeast. Registration and additional information are available online.

DID YOU KNOW? Everyone in our Southeast family has complete access to thousands of the best video Bible studies, sermons, and Christian conference material, all in one place! Use this customizable video streaming library to grow in your faith. Binge on Bible studies in your spare time, follow a teaching series with a group of friends, or enjoy an animated children’s series with your family. It’s all yours, it’s totally free, and signing up is easy. Just go online to our EVENTS page and click on RightNow Media.

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

GLOBAL MISSIONS HEALTH CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 8-10 • SOUTHE AST CHRISTIAN CHURCH • BL ANKENBAKER C AMPUS

Be part of the nation’s largest medical missions conference, with a variety of plenary speakers, breakout sessions, and exhibitors from around the world. If you are able to house students or missionaries during the conference, please contact gmhchousing@gmail.com to help!

920 BLANKENBAKER PARKWAY • LOUISVILLE, KY 40243 • 502.253.8000 • southeastchristian.org