Fall Update

What a challenge it is to operate within the structure of an “Organization” with the goal of being “Organic”. We truly want to be “Spirit led”, yet we also have the responsibility to Plan, Prepare & Provide for those who join us for a few days, or a week of their lives.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” Paul the Apostle

About a year ago, I started to ask the question, “What does a transformed Ensenada look like”? We could build a house for every family in Ensenada, but would that be a transformed city? Every child participating in a VBS could “make a descision” for Jesus, but would that be a transformed city?

I see cities being transformed as Jesus pours out Grace & Love. I see hurting people like the bleeding woman (whom Jesus calls daughter), like Zacchaeus (a friend of no one, but Jesus stays at his house), or the man born blind (having grown up believing his blindness was the consequence of his parent’s sin) being Loved, Healed & Transformed.

As I continue to study the life of Jesus. As I continue to surrender my life to Jesus. As I continue to be transformed into a new creation. I want to allow God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” Jesus of Nazareth

I believe loving people is our first priority. Any program we offer is only a facilitator for opportunity to love people. When we are loving people, as Jesus loves, we are His ambassadors and His evangalists. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” Paul the Apostle

“Outreach” - 1) to reach beyond; exceed; 2) to reach out; 3) an act or instance of reaching out

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Jesus’ prayer in the garden

This Thanksgiving the EOC staff and their families will come together and we will share in the ministry of loving a family & a community. We are all often working with teams, but rarely have we taken the opportunity to serve the community together. We will come together; a diverse and messy group of God’s children, but we will come together as one body. We will work together in community, as community. We will devote ourselves to Jesus’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. I believe we will be filled with awe, and we will witness many wonders and even a few miracles. I hope and pray that as we practice loving one another; the community we work in will be loved, and experience the love of Jesus Christ. I pray that the lives of the family we love will be transformed in Jesus. I pray that the community will experience transformation.

Isn’t this Outreach? Isn’t this Evangelism? Isn’t this Transformation?

Occasionally I am reminded of the fact that sometimes God has a different agenda than I have. Am I willing to be open to God’s methods of reaching his people?

What is important? The hand being raised or the heart being renewed?

I want to learn how we can become more flexible, allowing God to use us in any way He needs to, in order to fulfill His mission of Transforming lives, communities and nations; for His Glory.

I continue to assess, “why are we doing what we’re doing”? I continue to look at “how” we are participating in the “field”. Asking, “how can we be about personal encounters with the person of Jesus (something very organic), while operating within a dynamic, structured, missional ministry (organization)?”

This I know, it is all about relationships, unity in spirit, community & love.

I continue to serve at the pleasure of our Lord, Jesus.
Yours in Him,

Scott C Wester