On the Road Again

I'm in Grande Prairie this week, ostensibly to attend  a dance competition where my daughter, Jen's dance studio is competing, and doing very well, if I may say so with a bit of fatherly pride.

However, as I do not yet have a travel budget, I stole the opportunity to make calls on the churches in town, with some very encouraging results. I have previously visited most of them during my time with Alpha, so this was a matter of renewing relationships and re-introducing myself in my new capacity with Christianity Explored. Most calls just involved friendly conversation and ministry updates.

I have also told all my churches that I am happy to encourage them with Alpha as well, so I shared the joy of what is probably the main Grande Prairie Alpha church, over the number of new believers coming to faith through their Alphas. Then, however, without my having even mentioned it, he produced material on a new discipleship program they are considering - Discipleship Explored - which, of course, is part of the Christianity Explored family of ministry materials.

Another pastor with whom I had previously spoken was glad to hear about CE as he felt the theology involved might be a little closer to his denomination's actual views. In fact, I have a meeting with the Regional President of that very denomination on June 11. The Anglican pastor, when I met him on his way out the church door and gave him my new card, exclaimed, "Ah, I'm very familiar with Christianity Explored and actually prefer it."

In my travels around town I found myself near another church with whom I had discussed Alpha, albeit a number of years ago, but to whom I had sent an email introducing my new position. I entered the Pastor's office and re-introduced myself to him. after a brief chat about his church and community, he pointed to a package on the couch beside me. It was the Leader's Kits for both Christianity Explored and Discipleship Explored.,"I got your email," he said, "and it looked interesting so I went to your website and ordered both courses. I'll look at them over the summer and probably begin running them in the fall.

Another church had gone through variously struggles, including losing their location on the main street of GP, but who have now found a new pastor and a rented and shared facility, and welcomed CE as a possible way to rebuild and re-envision their congregation.

All in all, as indeed I found in my time with Alpha, a very pleasant time spending time with my Christian family in various denominations and locations.

I always told people I had the perfect job with Alpha, but I'm certainly looking forward to my time with CE. Surely there can be nothing more pleasing or fulfilling than doing your best at what it is the Lord has called you to do.

Blessings,

John