Harvest Ridge Covenant Church in Shawnee, Kansas, under the leadership of Pastor Jed Hollenbach and his incredibly gifted team, had been in a discernment process for almost a year when they finally heard clearly that their time to partner with Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision had come. Pastor Jed shared that while they felt like it was the right thing to do, the timing just had not yet been right. And then the season emerged…
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About 6-7 weeks ago, the church prayerfully engaged with The Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision United States. The time proved transformative as they began to uncover their corporate call to local, community, and global missions. As I participated in their Hope Event today, many congregants shared how initially they thought it wise to focus on the local context before stretching themselves to global involvement. However, after the book study and their time of discernment, it became clear that simultaneously doing global missions would only enhance their vision and call to the Kingdom!
As such, the time has come for Harvest Ridge to forge a movement on behalf of Covenant Kids Congo, and it is clear that this movement carries with it a great spiritual momentum! Already, Pete & Cindy Ekstrand have visited in fellowship with them, sharing their testimony as long term missionaries to Congo. I had the pleasure of visiting the congregation today for a Hope Event that would produce more than 40 child sponsorships!
However, nothing feels more like God’s hand in the midst than the story I am about to share. As the church was studying Hole in the Gospel, and beginning to embrace global missions together, a very special family entered the scene. About 4 weeks ago, the Barton family walked into the collective narrative of Harvest Ridge. As they walked through the door, the children’s choir was singing, “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” in Lingala, a language spoken in Congo, to celebrate the church’s new commitment. Just then, the Barton family who had recently adopted Muunjiza from Congo came into worship. Muunjiza immediately felt received there, hearing this powerful song in his native tongue!
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The family has since shared their story with Harvest Ridge, and they are excited about the comfort their 3 year old is experiencing at there. Only God could produce such a miraculous story! And miraculous it is, as Muunjiza’s name means “miracle” in Lingala!
Indeed, Harvest Ridge was wise to wait on God’s hand to move them in the direction He had for them, in the season he had for them! And because of their obedience to act, the rippling effect of global ministry is rooted and alive in their church! May you listen to hear how God is encouraging you to move on behalf of our brothers and sisters around the world!
