Transforming Churches and Shaking a Continent

This past week, several of our staff and members headed to Rwanda for an All-Africa Pastors Gathering to work toward our “H” initiative in helping reach the last 3,000 tribes on earth.

I was so encouraged and excited to receive an update from David Chrzan, Saddleback Chief of Staff. Please take time to read about what God is doing at this history-making event. What an amazing opportunity.

I am humbled that OUR church has been given the privilege of taking the lead on a project that will SHAKE a continent, and ultimately transform tens of thousands of churches! Wow. I get both goosebumps and tears in my eyes at the same time. We must ALL pray for our team as they continue the final frontier project of our global PEACE Plan. Read David’s letter below about how God is transforming lives in Rwanda.

– Pastor Rick

Prayer Request from Rwanda

The last of the pastors have arrived, from around the world this morning, for the next All-Africa Pastors’ Gathering beginning tomorrow morning here in Rwanda. This is the second gathering of leaders as we build toward the All-Africa Purpose Driven Leadership Congress in 2017. Over the next three days, we will be moving leaders closer to catalyzing 54 nationwide movements (Unity) of healthy churches (Purpose Driven) who are transforming lives in their communities (PEACE) and planting churches where none exist (UUPGs). It is our desire to see the Great Commandment and the Great Commission fulfilled everywhere!

We are here in Kigali because what has happened in Rwanda is nothing less than miraculous! “I thank my God … because the whole world is hearing about your faith” (Romans 1:8 TEV). The reconciliation, renewal, and resurrection from the devastation of this genocide is inspiring and life-giving. So, over the next three days, leaders from around the world will learn the story of Rwanda and the impact of the global PEACE Plan from the Rwandans who made it happen. Their stories of faith and perseverance, along with the lessons they learned from this incredible journey, are an example for a reformation of transformation across the entire continent of Africa and around the globe. Isaiah 49:6b (MSG) says, "I'm setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!"

 The Rwandans are paving the way for others to follow. The 150+ leaders from 28 different countries are here to take their next step to launching the global PEACE Plan in their countries. These leaders from other nations are not coming to hear from Saddleback Church, but rather they are coming to see what God has done through the Rwandan church! We have full confidence in the Rwandans’ ability to be a model for these churches in other nations. As Paul said, “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another” (Romans 15:14).

Would you take time to pray for what God is doing and about to do?

Jesus said, “I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you” (Matthew 18:19 CEV). With a spirit of expectant faith, would you ASK God for these three things to happen as a result of this gathering?

·        Ask that God would continue to pour out his blessing on the Rwandan churches as they move forward in faith.

·        Ask that God would launch the PEACE Plan in 20 countries before the end of this year, 2016.

·        Ask that 1,000 other leaders would hear about and be inspired by our example, along with that of the Rwandans, and decide to pray for and engage in this historic initiative.

“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15–16 NIV). 

This historic undertaking is built on God’s promises and our calling to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission everywhere. Because as we enter heaven, we want to see Revelation 7:9 (CEV): “After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than could be counted. They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood before the throne and before the Lamb.” We want to sing Revelation 5:9 (MSG): “And they sang a new song: Worthy! Take the scroll, open its seals. Slain! Paying in blood, you bought men and women, Bought them back from all over the earth, Bought them back for God.”

And we want to hear, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’” (Matthew 25:23 NIV).

 Thanks for your friendship and partnership in the ministry!

– David