Beach Retreat
The Beach Retreat is well under way. We have all arrived safe and
sound and have begun, along with a lot of fun, to be challenged and
encouraged in the Spirit. Our first message this morning asks the
necessary question in life - why are we here? God asnwers this in a big
way all through the Bible, but we will be focusing on two pieces of
scripture regarding our purpose in life.
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my
power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
- Exodus 9:16
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to
give life in all its fullness.
- John 10:10
These two passages point to something more than a frenzied, dis-oriented
life. There is indeed more to life than there seems. The rest of our
weekend will be processing whatthis looks like and how we strive for
that life.
New Church Plant: Coming Soon
Several years ago, as St. Peter’s was just getting started, we
prayerfully concluded that we were to both *grow *and *multiply,*
sending others out to plant with the principles grounding us, to be
Christ centered and mission minded.
Lyle and Mary Dorsett will soon be planting a new Anglican Mission
church in the Birmingham area! Plans are still developing, but Lyle and
John Richardson have been in prayer about this for months, Lyle and Mary
even longer. What we know for now is that the church will be Christ the
King Anglican and will begin services as early as November,
temporarily meeting in Hodges Chapel at the Beeson Divinity School of
Samford University.
From the Pastor
Hey Family and Friends,
I am witness to some powerful things ongoing in the name of Jesus.
CFCI (Christ for Children International) is being used by God to break
generational patterns that the sins of the fathers might no longer be
visited upon the third and fourth generations. As you can imagine, the
work among the children and youth is not easy. It happens most often
without support from parents and at times in the face of opposition and
ongoing abuse. Through CFCI, God is providing a close second to His
unconditional love, that thing necessary to full and abundant lives.
Paul Martin - New Youth Pastor
Dear People of St. Peter’s:
What a great joy it is to announce that Paul Martin has joined our staff
as youth pastor. He and his wife Cathy and girls, Jane (3) and Elizabeth
(2), began their life with us June 1, 2007. Paul has a youth ministry
history with tangible results. In his wake are many relationships, some
of which have been sustained to this day, through which the Gospel has
been advanced in the life of youth.
Rwanda Crusade
Written by John Richardson
Friday, 27 July 2007
More pictures from the crusade. John was the morning preacher and Mary
Elizabeth led the children’s small group (around 200). She taught them
the Wa-hoo response for every time she said God loves you! They loved
it. John also led the men’s small group (around 1000). During the
morning alter call more than 1100 came forward and in the afternoon
another 700 came forward to renew their faith.
Friday update:
Another God blessd day! 200 more first time professions of faith. 300
were blessed by the children’s breakout. It was led again by Mary
Elizabeth Jenkins and her team. The men’s breakout was stirring. SPJ and
Ugandan Bishop Sharlita were the speakers.
A word from ME Jenkins:
Today we attempted to give candy as a treat to the kids in the “small
group” and it was, needless to say, sort of a disaster! They all ran at
us and fought us and each other to get to the candy that we were trying
to make sure they all got. This situation, though stressful and slightly
disturbing, reminded me of an important lesson. I wonder what God thinks
as He tries to bless us and take care of us in His perfect plan and we
constantly fight Him and each other as we try to take and get our own
way. He has a special and unique blessing for each of us, and He is
going to make sure we recieve this in His timing, we just have to
“muhare” (sit down) and wait to receive.
John Richardson
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Hey Folks,
So sorry for the delay. Internet has been down until this moment.
We have arrived even the last of us, Kristen Ochwald. We are well.
We visited Sonrise yesterday and saw the rapid growth in the ministry
there. Within a year or two there will be 1600 students between K
through 12. All are being shaped spiritually. Sonrise wil have a lasting
legacy here in Rwanda and beyond. It moves around in the top five
schools in the country. 75% of students are orphans. The orphaned
students know of no disctinction between them and the 25% who pay to attend.
Yesterday we also visited a piece of lake front property given to Bishop
Rucyahana and the Diocese of Shyira by the government. Here Bishop John
has vision for a place of retreat and restoration. Pastors and scholars
would be invited to come in and take up residence for a while and teach
and minister to those seeking wholeness after the genocide. Wow. Our
Godly leader has real vision.
Yesterday afternoon we played with kids from the neighborhood. Mary
Elizabeth and Madison are beeing deeply touched by the experience. Every
member of our team is. I wait with great expectation to see their faces
when they see the unbridled worship of the Rwandans.
Planning is still underway. Yours truly has been invited to give the
opening sermon. What an honor. Mary Elizabeth Jenkins and Kristen have
been invited to lead the children’s element of the crusade, perhaps as
many as 800 children. Mary Elizabeth Richardson, Madison and Kristen
Oschwald will join the children’s team. David Hudspeth and Steve Kelly
will assist me in leading a small group of men, perhaps 2000 to 3000
souls. So much is being entrusted to us, by Bishop John and the Lord.
Pray that we will rise to the occasion.
We will send photos soon if the internet remains up and running.
We covet your prayers.
In His Service and at His Command,
Senior Pastor John for us all
Rwanda Crusade Update
Written by John Richardson
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Dear People of St. Peter’s:
The Crusade has begun in great glory. We asked each member of our team
to record some first impressions. Here they are:
David Hudspeth- All week I have been impressed with what I have seen;
the schools, medical facilities and such. But tonight I cried. When I
witnessed the enthusiasm with which the Rwandans sing and dance for the
Lord, my heart leapt to my throat and tears filled my eyes. For the
first time I too danced for the Lord without restraint. Praise be to Imana!
Kristen Oschwald-To see thousands of people praising God, the same God
that I know, really makes me feel connected to the body of Christ. I
can’t wait to be a part of this movement in Rwanda.
Mary Elizabeth Jenkins-This is the most amazing place in the world! The
people are so joyful, God shows through in every one of their smiles.
All the children want to know and remember your name and they want the
same from you! Whew! Tonight I made friends with an 11 year old boy,
Moses, who said that he would look for me tomorrow to introduce me to
all his friends! I can’t wait to dance and praise God with them! I’m
going to teach them to say “Wa-hoo”! Praise God for what He is doing in
Rwanda!
Mary Elizabeth Richardson-Today was the start of the crusade. It was
amazing to see how happy all of the Rwandans were to see us. It was lots
of fun to see them dancing and singing.
Madison McGinn-It is beautiful. They have probably never seen white
kids. The kids come up to you and rub your skin to see if you are
painted. It’s funny how people try to speak to us but we can’t
understand them. It is also interesting that they love to dance, play
and have fun with us. It’s just amazing. Today we went to see a medical
clinic. There were a bunch of people that had wounds or something wrong.
I am glad a lot of people are healed there.
Kristen Richardson- Once again I have the chance to see Jesus at work
among the people of Rwanda. The people are completely unrestrained in
their worship. What a blessing it is to experience this with my family.
The joy that is found in the Lord shines from each face as they dance
and sing praises to Jesus.
John Richardson- An Antiochian moment is unfolding here. “And the hand
of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the
Lord (Acts 11:21).” Keep praying. We are and with great expectation.
Like me, you would be so proud of the Team representing our community of
faith. It is a joy to watch the girls
We’ll write when we can.
Under His Command and in His Mercy,
Senior Pastor John for us all
David Hudspeth
Written by David Hudspeth
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
We are well and safe in Rwanda. John does not have internet yet. He is
at the Diocese guest house and their internet is down. I am staying at
the Catholic retreat center where they do have computers. Today we were
given tours of the Sonrise School and Orphanage, the Sonrise High
School, and a piece of beautiful land on a lake where Bishop John hopes
to build a retreat and conference center. Tomorrow John and M.E. (Mary
Elizabeth Jenkins) are in meetings all morning while we (David, Kristen
Oschwald, Kristen Richardson, Mary Elizabeth Richardson and Madison
McGinn) go on a tour of the diocese medical facilities. Tomorrow
(Wednesday) afternoon begins the conference with opening worship and
welcomes. So far we have been blessed by everything we see and do. Our
only hiccups so far have been a lost suitcase for me (which is now here)
and a lost box for John (the solar oven, which is not yet here). Please
ask everyone to pray for the conference as they go through their day. As
you all get up on Wed morning, we are 8+ hours ahead and will be
starting our activities. Also pray that the oven will arrive.
God Bless,
David Hudspeth
Crusade Travels
Written by John Richardson
Monday, 23 July 2007
We made it to Nairobi. We are here for three more hours. We are 8 hours
ahead of you all in the Central (God’s) Time Zone. We all slept
reasonably well over night. We will try to keep you posted in word and
photo.
Blessings, In Christ Jesus, John for all of us