From South America with Love (Part Two)…

Once the dates and details were set for our mission project in Cordoba, Argentina I began sharing my heart for this project with the Cross-link family each Sunday.  I offered an opportunity for people to join me for nine days in South America for a Pastor’s Conference, ESL Training in Public Schools and Vacation Bible Schools.  After several weeks of promotion, I had two men on board with me.  One was my Director of Evangelism and Discipleship, Terry Ross and the other was my Director of Hospitality, Patrick Simmons.  To the Glory of God, all three of us raised the necessary funds without any expenses from the Calvary Cross-link budget.

(Left to Right: Terry Ross, Will Herndon, Me, Patrick Simmons,
Daniel Beard, Sherry Anderson, Pastor Tim Anderson, Glenn Price)

Our Trip to Cordoba started on Wednesday, March 21^st when we left Calvary Cross-link, headed for Richmond International Airport at 9am.  We didn’t arrive at our hotel in Cordoba, Argentina until noon on Thursday, March 22^nd.   After a quick nap, the evening was spent planning our week with the 4-person team from Clements Baptist Church in Athens, Alabama and our AMAZING ground man, Will Herndon, over some delicious Argentine steak.  I don’t think any of us were quite prepared for what God was going to do in, through and around us over the next few days.

When we arrived at the International Congress for Revival Pastor’s School on Thursday night, there were over 400 pastors, lay leaders and ladies in attendance.  These sweet brothers and sisters were so gracious, grateful and passionate for the opportunity to attend this experience.  Very few, if any of these church leaders had any formal ministry training whatsoever, so they were eager to learn!  We challenged them to solid leadership and sound doctrine for the next 2 & ½ days.  Every time Pastor Tim & I preached, they furiously took notes, hanging on every word.

Worship Service Attendance at ICR School

It should be said, that my experience in preaching through a translator is limited but I cannot imagine a better translator than my new friend Will Herndon.  Pastor Tim and I could literally preach and he translated right over the top of us.  It was an incredible sight to behold and experience!

I was told, over and over again, how much this conference meant to the pastors and church leaders in attendance.  They emotionally shared how they were challenged, encouraged and equipped for greater ministry impact for the Glory of God in Argentina.  This was great to hear.  However, I believe that the experience had an even greater impact on my life than it did theirs.  As I worshiped Jesus in a language I didn’t comprehend, I sensed the moving of the Holy Spirit in my own life that was calling me to a deeper level of commitment to the “end of the earth” section of Acts 1:8.  I knew this would require a re-prioritizing of my ministry calendar, budget and focus.  However, I knew that this special calling on my life didn’t just affect me, but all those whom I have the privilege to lead…to be continued…

From South America with Love - Part One

When God called Ashley and I to the Shenandoah Valley in the fall of 2009, we knew that it would be a serious change of pace from the suburban Atlanta community in which we lived. I never imagined myself being a pastor and I remember swearing I’d never move to Virginia as long as I lived. Not only was I not interested in living or pastoring in Virginia, but especially not rural Virginia. Yet, God called us here and we (reluctantly) obeyed!

Let be begin by saying that, over the past 31 months, I have found such incredible joy in leading Calvary Cross-link to Impact the Valley and Bless the Nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, after spending 18 months in the Valley, it became evident that leading my church to a global ministry mindset was going to be a challenge. The closest international airport is over 100 miles away and most of the people I inherited had never been on an airplane before. The general mindset was “There’s enough lost people in the Valley, why go on a mission trip till we reach the ones in our own back yard?” Sound familiar?

I knew that I wasn’t the only pastor to face these challenges in leading my rural church to a global ministry mindset, so I decided I needed a mentor. I have always been blessed with many mentors in my life, none more influential than my own father. But, I needed a specific kind of mentor…someone who was leading a rural church to global focus. I found Pastor Tim Anderson from Clements Baptist Church in Athens, Alabama. Pastor Tim started a church 17 years ago in rural Alabama that is now personally invested advancing Gospel in dozens of nations around the world. His church invests hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. They have freed up their pastor to lead an incredible organization called International Congress on Revival that trains pastors around the world. Once I contact Pastor Tim, he made himself available to me any time I needed. We began to talk over the phone about various aspects of ministry, staff, leadership and missions. I found him more than familiar with the mindset I was fighting in the early days of Calvary Cross-link.

Tim invited me to join him in Cordoba, Argentina for an ICR Pastor’s Conference. I joyfully accepted and so begins Calvary Cross-link’s journey on to the international mission field…to be continued…

The Energy to Energize Others

All areas of life require balance. Andy Stanley was teaching last year on that very subject, making the argument for appropriate amounts of tension. I try to imagine my ministry & family traveling a road that runs between two very attractive (but also very destructive) ditches. I'll take them point by point:

My identity is not found in family or Ministry. My identity is found in Christ who is the Author & Perfecter of it (Hebrews 12). This is central to Energy to Energize Others!

It would be so easy & comfortable to lose myself in my amazing family who adores me. Many have done exactly that! To the detriment of all other relationships, ministry opportunities or job opportunities, they have sold out to their family and are enjoying that comfortable ditch. No question: I pastor my family before I pastor anybody else in my life, but why must it be "either-or" instead of "both-and?" Why can't I disciple my 4-year-old and an orphan nobody wants at the same time? Why can't I love my wife and lay my life down for her, while also challenging other men to do the same with their wives? Why can't I lead my family in such a way that I am leading other families as well? Simple Answer: I can and I should! It takes balance to stay out of the Ditch of Worshipping Family!!!

It would be so easy and comfortable to lose myself in my career. After all, my job description is to "Lead Calvary Cross-link to Impact the Valley & Bless the Nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Who wouldn't want to sell-out to that? I could (and have) work 80-100 hours per week and not scratch the surface of all that needs to be done here. But, it's not God's intention that I reach all the children of the world while mine go to hell without Jesus! My pastor is known for saying, "The light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home." I believe the key is embracing my career with my family deeply involved! And, the most important part is making sure that my career flows out of my deep and abiding intimacy with Jesus. Balance keeps my focus clear!

Part of my role as Lead Pastor of Calvary Cross-link is coaching people to their God-given, Christ-honoring potential. One of the greatest "zappers" of energy is feeling like I am failing at something that I can ill-afford failure. Settling into either one of the ditches is a sure-fire way to drain all energy. My energy to energize others comes from a balanced life between the ditches!