Back to Nepal

In 2013 I made my first trip to Nepal to train church leaders in a remote village some 5 hours outside of Kathmandu. I was quite nervous making the journey for the first time, but found the experience exciting and terrifying. While I was there I was praying the whole time for God's discernment. Asking God whether this was a one time thing, or a beginning of a ministry. I came away from this time in prayer with a sense it was a beginning.

I am heading back to Nepal, and again I am raising funds for this ministry opportunity.  Let me share what has been happening in the past year since returning from Nepal in 2013.

In May of 2013, I spent about 8 days in Nepal, mostly in a remote village near Trisuli.  It was an amazing experience and it was my first time in Nepal.  Seeing the needs of the church and the country as a whole, I wanted to return in 2014.

Over the past year, I have seen a growing excitement about Nepal and the church in Nepal.  God has brought new people into my life who want to help the Nepalese church and Global Equip as a ministry is encouraged by the new opportunities in Nepal.

In Oct. 2014 I will be returning for a longer trip, but will be traveling to different parts of Nepal.  This trip will take me to Pokhara, and the Chitwan Region as well as KTM (Kathmandu).  I will be doing similar training of Christian Leaders as I did in 2013, but this time it will be a different group and much larger.  I also am going to have an opportunity to speak at a Youth Conference and meet with and pray with pastors from all over Nepal.

Last year's experience was much more regional and local.  We were in one place for most of the time.  This trip has a lot more travel in it, and will be broader in its reach.  I am very excited about this new chapter.

I will be traveling with 2 men this time, Pastor Dan who is Nepalese and Rev. Jon Taylor, minister at Church of the Redeemer in Manchester, NH.  With the additional travel, the expenses have gone up from last year.  Rev. Jon Taylor and I are trying to raise  $6000 each to cover our costs as well as help with the costs for the training in Nepal.  Rev. Taylor is way ahead of me in the fund raising so I need to play catch up.  Will you consider helping?

Please go to www.global-equip.org and click on the link that says "Donate".  

If you prefer mailing in your donation, send it to:

Global Equip
PO Box 472131
Tulsa OK 74147

Make sure when you put in the memo of the check or online donation, "Nepal 2014 Jason"

If you want to know more, by all means contact me and would love to share.  And please be praying for Nepal and its church.

New Sermon Series: Isaiah

This coming Sunday we will beginning a new sermon series, the Book of Isaiah.  I am really looking forward to this book.  I think it is going to be a wonderful year looking at this all important text in the Old Testament.

John Oswalt writes this in his commentary.

"Of all the books in the Old Testament, Isaiah is perhaps the richest.  Its literary grandeur is unequaled. Its scope is unparalleled.  The breadth of its view of God is unmatched. In so many ways it is a book of superlatives. Thus it is no wonder that Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament, and along with Psalms and Deuteronomy, one of the most frequently cited of all Old Testament books. Study of it is an opportunity for unending inspiration and challenge."

Raising Funds for Nepal

www.global-equip.org

In the previous post, I have shared what I will be doing in Nepal, training church leaders from across the region. So far over 80 people have signed up and we hope a few more will join us by May 27.

When Global Equip partners with indigenous ministries, one of the things we want to do is to be a blessing to the local church.  So if we are going to train church leaders for a week or more, we want to cover their transportation costs as well as their food, lodging and expenses to get there.  At our last institute, one gentleman travel over 500 km by motorbike in Nepal to come to our conference.  We don't want him to have to decide between coming to the conference or feeding his family, so we cover his expenses.

The cost for transportation, lodging food for the participants for the week as well as my travel expenses comes to $3875.  My colleague is raising the same amount, $3875 to bring it to a total of $7750 for the whole week. 

Now if this sounds like a lot, consider this.  A friend of mine is going to Disneyworld for one week with his family, and his expenses are over $5000 for his family to fly and enjoy a week in Florida.  $7750 covers 80+ participants and their transportation, lodging food expenses as well as my expenses and my colleagues expenses.  $7750 begins to sound like a bargain, wouldn't you agree?

So if you would like to contribute, $20, $40, $50 or more to this cause, go to Global Equip's Website and click on the link to donate.  All donations are tax deductible.

If you prefer mailing in your donation, send it to:

Global Equip
PO Box 472131
Tulsa OK 74147

Make sure when you donate, you put in the memo of the check or online donation, "Nepal 2013 Jason"

Let me know if you have any questions or want to know more about the training.  We are only a month away, so every donation will help!

NEPAL!

www.global-equip.org

I am very excited to share this opportunity and invite you to support this ministry to the church in Nepal.

About 2 years ago I made contact with Pastor Bharat in Boston who was studying here in the United States.  Pastor Bharat has been planting churches all over Nepal.  He has returned to Nepal and is continuing the work.  This movement is gaining momentum and there is a tremendous need to equip and train church leaders.

In July 2012 Global Equip sent its 1st team to Nepal for one week to begin training.  It was a very productive week and individuals came from all over Nepal to get biblical and leadership resources.  Gathering with the believers in Nepal was incredible.  Here is a picture of worship with the church in Kathmandu.

In May 2013, a 2nd team is going to Nepal and I have been invited to be one of the instructors.  This will be my first trip to Nepal and Lord willing I hope continue to help Christians in Nepal for many years through Global Equip.  I will be going with a PhD student from Washington DC who went on the 1st trip.  We are both excited about the 80+ participants who are already signed up for the conference.  I think it is going to be an amazing week.

In order to go, we need to raise funds for our travel expenses as well as the travel expenses of our participants.  In addition, Global Equip wants to cover the cost of materials, lodging and meals of the Nepalese Christian leaders. I am trying to raise $3875 for this week.

Christ Presbyterian Church as well as the Presbytery of Northern New England is helping me to raise funds.  I want to invite you to help in this endeavor to bless the Christians in Nepal.

To donate, go to global-equip.org and click on the donate button.  It will redirect to how you can donate to Global Equip and make sure under project description you write "Nepal 2013 Jason".
 
The reason to include my name is to differentate between myself and the other team member.

Even if it is a small amount, consider making a donation.  And be praying, that is just as important.  I will let you know more how you can pray for the trip and the training, but right now just pray that we can raise the necessary resources for this trip.

Contact me if you have any questions.  Would love to share!

Ian Provan - The Eclipse of Biblical Narrative

One of my Old Testament professors from Regent spoke at L'Abri Boston.  It was a great evening, very much enjoyed it.

Here is a link to his talk about truth, I highly highly recommend listening to it.  Great stuff.

Ian Provan is professor at Regent College in Vancouver, BC, CANADA.

ENJOY!

Side Projects

If you visit my other blog, you will see progress on an old Willys Jeep.  An outlet for my creative side.

One of the benefits of the Willys Jeep Project is learning to use new tools and develop skills.  In the process of rebuilding the jeep, I have learn to work with sheet metal and weld.

Below is a result of those skills for side projects like installing a protective bumper for my Ford.  The front of the truck is all plastic, and I wanted to install some steel to protect the front.  Picked the bumper up on craigslist, and after a few hours of metal work, it is installed.

Could have not done this if not for the Jeep Project.

Summer Schedule

Beginning Sunday, June 17 Sunday Worship begins at 10:00 am and there is no 9:15 am gathering.  Hope to see you this Summer at Christ Presbyterian!

Dr Spring & Dr Worcester Preaching

Sunday we will be celebrating along with other churches in New England the 200th Anniversary of America's First Missionaries being ordained.

In remembrance of that occasion, I will be reading Dr. Spring's & Dr. Worcester's remarks on that occasion.

I am excited, I think it will be a real blessing.

Missions Bicentennial Event

Anyone who knows me, knows I like history and missions. 

This February 6, 2012 is the 200th Anniversary of the Ordination of America's First Missionaries.  The church where they were ordained, Tabernacle Church in Salem is hosting a special event that day to commemorate the historic occasion.

Lord willing, I plan to be there.

David & Goliath : 1 Samuel 17

We have finally arrived to this epic battle and most famous story of David.  I hope to look at it with a fresh perspective.  Join us this Sunday!

Dakar Rally 2012

One of the things I look forward to every New Year is not seeing Dick Clark, again, or making resolutions, but The Dakar Rally.

This sporting event is the most intense experience on the planet, and I so hope to see it in person some day.

443 Vehicles will start the race and less than half of them will finish.  All kinds of vehicles, from amazing technological machines, to cars hauled out of a junkyard and modified.  It has pros and amateurs racing across amazing terrian. For the last several years, South America has hosted the 2 week race.

The best coverage for the event is through a TV Station in Australia. SBS.com.au

Check it out. 

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
7:00 p.m.
10 Robinson Rd., Nashua, NH

Carol Sing, Scripture Readings and Singing Silent Night. 






Christmas Day Sunday Morning Service
10:30 a.m.
10 Robinson, Rd., Nashua, NH
No 9:15 a.m. prayer gathering

Simple Worship Service with a Short Homily.

Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 12

What does Deuteronomy 31, Joshua 23, 2 Samuel 7 & Acts 2 have in common?  Answer =>  1 Samuel 12.

Come Sunday, and you will see a common theme emerge in these passages.

We will be looking at why the Christian needs to be stuck in the past.

Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 9 & 10

This Sunday we look at Saul for the first time.

Our introduction to Saul is very interesting. 

I admit, I love his introduction to the people of God.


1Sam. 10:20  Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.
1Sam. 10:21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found.
1Sam. 10:22 So they inquired again of the LORD, “Is there a man still to come?” and the LORD said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 8

God's People want a Human King. 

Very interesting chapter and you will not want to miss it.  The theme we will be looking at is Rejection.  God being Rejected.  We will be comparing 1 Samuel 8 to another instance in scripture where God is rejected.



Please Join us this coming Sunday!

Perspectives Course Manchester

I mentioned this in an earlier post.  I plan to attend the Perspectives Course, and hope some church members can join me.

Click on this link for more information on the Manchester, NH Perpective Class.

Hope to see you there!

Guest Preacher this Sunday!

To be honest, Rev. Timothy Andrews is not much of a guest preacher at CPC.  He is one of its former ministers and many of the folks know him quite well!

Tim will be preaching at Christ Presbyterian while I preach at his church in Lancaster, MA.

A short bio on Rev. Tim Andrews can be found here.  Please plan to join us this coming Sunday at 10:30 am!

1 Samuel 3 => Calling of Samuel

Join us this Sunday as we take a look at First Samuel 3, the calling of Samuel as a prophet. 

I think might surpise you to learn what is really going on in the Tabernacle.  Please join us this coming Sunday.

Perspectives Course

When I was a Senior in University, I took a course that changed my life.  It was called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement.

It was started in 1974, I took it in 1993.  It is still being offered in 2011.  In fact it will be offered in NH in the Winter of 2012.  If you want more information, let me know.

Everyone should take this course.  If you want to know more about world missions, take this course!

Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 2:1-10

1Sam. 2:1  And Hannah prayed and said,
     “My heart exults in the LORD;
     my strength is exalted in the LORD.
        My mouth derides my enemies,
        because I rejoice in your salvation.
1Sam. 2:2     “There is none holy like the LORD;
        there is none besides you;
        there is no rock like our God.
1Sam. 2:3     Talk no more so very proudly,
        let not arrogance come from your mouth;
        for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
        and by him actions are weighed.
1Sam. 2:4     The bows of the mighty are broken,
        but the feeble bind on strength.
1Sam. 2:5     Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
        but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
     The barren has borne seven,
     but she who has many children is forlorn.
1Sam. 2:6     The LORD kills and brings to life;
        he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
1Sam. 2:7     The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
     he brings low and he exalts.
1Sam. 2:8     He raises up the poor from the dust;
        he lifts the needy from the ash heap
     to make them sit with princes
        and inherit a seat of honor.
     For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
        and on them he has set the world.
1Sam. 2:9  “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
        but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
        for not by might shall a man prevail.
1Sam. 2:10     The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;
     against them he will thunder in heaven.
     The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
        he will give strength to his king
     and exalt the power of his anointed.”