Costa Rica

This morning I had breakfast with DJ Lovelace and Troy Benham. For months Troy has been trying to get me to visit with DJ, who has a dream of starting a mission effort in Costa Rica. So, finally, today was the day.

It is an amazing “God-thing” that Troy “happens” to know DJ.

DJ grew up as a missionary in Africa but returned to the states when his parents retired. After getting a degree in education he decided to teach abroad. He applied at like 200 different international sites and told himself he would move to the first place that responded. Costa Rica was that place.

While teaching elementary school there, he fell in love with the people. . . but one person especially stole his heart. . . so he married her. He and his new Costa Rican bride returned to Corpus Christi so DJ could earn his Masters and Doctorate degrees; but they have always wanted to return to Costa Rica and do mission work.

But how?

That’s where Troy–a fleet mechanic and a fairly new Christian–comes in.

A couple of years ago, DJ met Troy. Together, with Glenn Kelley and others, they began meeting for a weekly Bible study and mission outreach. That’s where Troy learned of DJ’s passion to return to Costa Rica and build an orphanage, drill water wells, serve the local people, and start a seminary for indigenous (local) pastors. He sees an openness to Christ but recognizes that without strong indigenous leadership protestant Christianity will not flourish.

But how could his vision become a reality? As it turns out, Troy also “happens” to know a local attorney. Years ago this attorney had received some property in a business transaction. He had never done anything with this former coffee plantation other than just let it sit vacant. After all, what is a Corpus Christi attorney going to do with land in (you guessed it) Costa Rica?

Not knowing any of the details, but just wanting two of his friends who both loved the Lord to get to know each other, Troy introduced this attorney to DJ. The attorney almost instantly caught the vision and passion of DJ and has now offered to GIVE DJ all the land he needs to start his mission efforts.

DJ has already made a trip to Costa Rica and is now in the early stages of working through the Costa Rican legal channels to obtain the rights to the property (Good thing he knows an attorney!).

DJ is still 9 to 12 months away from moving permanently back to Costa Rica. He will need state-side help that includes financial support; but more importantly, DJ is looking for churches that share his vision and will personally actively help build a ministry to this Central American country. He is praying for people to travel with him, groups to come down and help build foundations, erect walls, dig wells, evangelize local people, prepare local pastors, and more.

DJ did not come to Christ Point asking for help. Troy Benham got us together.

Troy just “happened” to know an attorney with some land, a missionary with a dream, and a pastor who is looking for ways to help his congregation be more mission minded.

Go figure!

Shadow Mission, Part 2

So, what is your shadow mission? What alternate mission sometimes distracts you from your God-given purpose?

My shadow mission is, “Don’t make waves.”

Whatever you do, keep your mouth shut, don’t offend anyone, acquiesce to others, by compliant, don’t say or do anything that will cause trouble.

I know exactly where this comes from. Those are the messages I received loud and clear as I grew up. To do anything that might disrupt our household could have had profound consequences (enough said about that).

Even though I know from where in my past this shadow mission comes, at 43 years old I still see it in my life almost everyday. It causes me to avoid difficult – but needed – conversations. It causes me to second-guess myself. It prevents me from being open with my opinions and feelings. I over-analyze everything I say and do. I have control issues.

Yet, in some psycho-babble kind of way, it also causes me to get into unnecessary conflicts.

More on that in part 3.

Shadow Mission, Part 1

Last year I heard John Ortberg give an incredibly powerful message at Willow Creek’s annual Leadership Summit. Ortberg talked about everyone’s “shadow mission.”

A shadow mission is our ultimate internal fear. It’s that almost hidden part of us that drives so much of what we do and why we do it. It’s not necessarily evil; but it does compete with our true mission. If we leave our shadow mission unexplored it can control us and divert us from God’s call. That’s when it turns dark.

On hearing Ortberg talk about this I instantly knew what my shadow mission is. What about you? What’s your shadow mission? What fear drives you?

In a future post I’ll share with you my shadow mission. Until then, why don’t you spend some time exploring yours and see if you can name it in a single, short sentence?

I Don’t Have to Wear a Mask

I’ve heard it before and I heard it again last Sunday.

One of CPC’s members is facing a move out of Corpus Christi but they don’t want to go. Do you know why they don’t want to leave?

Christ Point Church.

They have spent years looking for a church home that feels like home. This member says that Christ Point is the first church they have found where, “I don’t have to wear a mask. I can be myself and people still love me.”

What a great testimony to the love and grace at Christ Point.

Mission 911

I visited with Tony Reyes today about how CPC can be involved with Mission 911.

Dang!

Everytime I’m around Tony I come away inspired, humbled, and changed. That guy is living The Life!

As we “Connect with the World” through our small groups in the coming months you’ll have some great opportunities to serve at and around Mission 911. . . and that’s when you’ll see first-hand why I’m just blown away by Tony and what God is doing through him.

We’ll be getting you more info soon.

City Church

I had a great lunch with Dave Lescalleet. Dave is the pastor at Christ the King Church. . . soon to be City Church. . . here in Corpus Christi.

The new name reflects the church’s desire to serve the city of Corpus Christi. Part of Dave’s passion is for church to be more than just about the weekend. We need to be Christians 7 days a week. It’s safe to say he agrees with me that we need to be salt and light; that too many of us spend our time cursing the darkness rather than lighting candles.

Dave and I spent much of our lunch preaching at each other about these things. It was great! I’m fired up.

City Church is already involved in community events and service opportunities. They are making a difference. Souls have been saved and the kingdom of God has been brought in to the hearts of men and women.

In the months ahead, Christ Point Church will begin making more of a strategic effort to impact our community. We will move out from the safety of our walls and get off our padded seat cushions. It won’t be pretty. It won’t be easy. It won’t be comfortable. It won’t always be successful.

But Jesus didn’t call us to any of those things. He called us to join him on the mission field called Corpus Christi.

It’s Been Awhile

It’s been awhile since I’ve done much writing/blogging/journaling/thinking-out loud-on-the-computer.

I guess I’ve just been in one of those quiet-keep-to-myself moods lately (18 or so months).

I’m not sure I’m really out of that mood just yet, but it occured to me that it’s time for me to take the advice of the 12-Step community: sometimes you just have to fake it til you make it.

So, welcome.

Welcome to “Dan Morris Online”. For whatever it’s worth to whomever (whoever???) has nothing better to do than read my ramblings; this blog will serve as an open window into my soul. I’ve got to warn you though, it’s kinda dark in here at times. But hopefully, together, we can let in a little light.

I make no promises about how often I’ll post or what I’ll post. But I do promise to be as honest and open as I can.

(Isn’t it funny that a guy who works at a church can’t always be honest and open?!).