The only error at Sunday’s celebration…

It’s almost been 48 hours since we gathered at the Tinley Park Convention Center, and I’m still messed-up! Not only were your affirmations of love to us simply overwhelming, but I was honestly blown-away by every part of the service.  Most amazing to me was that such an elaborate schedule with each campus pastor playing an important role came off without a hitch or a hiccup – from the first “Uffda” (that really was a CLC first, Kristen) to the confetti cannon ending (another CLC first!) except for one glaring omission, and the culprit was yours truly.

We knew that having everyone together from all our campuses was the perfect opportunity to explain and promote the upcoming CLC missions trip to Israel this November 9-19, and the staff had asked me to share my heart regarding Israel.  It was on the schedule and it was in my notes, but I completely forgot!  So here goes:

• The Holy Spirit dealt with me very strongly while I was in the Philippines in June of 2009 over the fact that CLC is so missions-minded, with almost $4M sown into missions in our history, but until that point, not one penny had been given to reach the Jewish people.  I repented and promised the Lord that I would change that once I returned home.
• Since that encounter, as I’ve studied more and listened further, I’ve purposed in my heart that Israel will actually become our #1 priority in missions, ahead of any other nation in which we’re involved – in the words of Scripture, “to the Jew first!”
• Perhaps the most exciting development in these nine months is the connection we’ve made with Tikkun International – a Messianic, Spirit-filled coalition of ministries both in Israel and in the USA led by Daniel Juster. Dan is considered the leading Jewish Messianic theologian in the world today, and he’ll be ministering at CLC this July  25! And we already are sending more support on a monthly basis to them than to any other nation or ministry with which we partner.)
• This November 9-19 we will be leading a team of CLCers (hopefully from each campus) to the nation of Israel, where we will not only enjoy a tour of the Biblical sites, but also serve alongside these Messianic ministries.  We’ll enjoy a Shabbat service together; we’ll serve the poor & needy Jews; and we’ll have an opportunity to encourage our partners there.  I believe it will be the trip of a lifetime!
• All of the information you need is on our website (including a sample letter you can use to solicit help from family, friends and co-workers). In all my years of leading missions trips, I’ve never known of anyone who truly wanted to go who was not able to raise the necessary funds.
• But you must act soon! The deadline for the initial deposit to reserve your seat was April 1 – but I’ve asked the travel agent to give us a few more days.  I would urge you to get your deposit to Mauo Travel & Tours by April 15.  (Again, all the info is right here)

The Jews often say, “Next year in Jerusalem!”.  I’d like to suggest, for CLCers, it’s “This year in Jerusalem!”

If you have questions for me, leave them below-