We’re off! We left this morning from the Yorktown parking lot about 6:20.
But progress has been slow. We’ve picked up a few churches along the way who heard what we’re doing. One church even called this morning and asked to meet up with is on the road.
We’ve got 7 churches, 5 vehicles, and about 25 people. With so many we’re creating a new rule for future trips: only people able to go 3 hours between bathroom breaks can come… 
The following is an excerpt from a post written by John Bradshaw, pastor at Oso Creek Fellowship. In it he gives a few more details about the work Christ Point, Oso Creek, and Yorktown Baptist will be doing as we serve victims of Hurricane Ike.
Monday we will go to Surfside Beach to do some clean up for city workers who have been working around the clock and had no opportunity to care for their own homes/families.
Surfside is a hard hit city right on the coast.
The director of the Gulf Coast Baptist Association has connected us with the City of Surfside and tells us that there is an incredible amount of work to do.
Most of us going on Monday will be coming back late Monday night . . . but there is housing for anyone who would want to go and stay for a few – or several – more days.
Please let me know by Sunday morning if you have any interest in going with us on Monday! You can respond to this post or call the church office (992-4567).
But don’t worry if you can’t make this trip, there will be others to follow.
Christ Point is joining other Corpus Christi churches to maximize our efforts to serve Galveston and Houston. We’re in contact with churches and Christian-based organizations in the hurricane area. Right now things are pretty chaotic as these groups get their bearings and prioritize needs. Fortunately, our government has done a pretty good job of suppling food, water, and emergency housing in the immediate aftermath so there is not a great need for clothing, water, and food at this point.
Today I met with Heidi Hovda. Heidi is the interim director of the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District. She serves on numerous community boards and civic organizations.
As I’ve talked with several community leaders and civic volunteers about how Christ Point can best serve Corpus Christi, virtually every one of them have told me I needed to talk with Heidi.
And after talking with her, all I can say is, “WOW!”
Heidi is a tornado of energy and ideas. No wonder she’s such a powerful influence in our community. You can check out a few things about her on the web here.
She and I spent about an hour talking about the needs of Corpus Christi and where Christ Point and other churches can step in and serve the community. She gave me countless ideas, contacts, and opportunities.
I came away fired up and ready to make Corpus Christi a better place.
One of the reasons I was fired up was that, without realizing it, Heidi reminded me that no civic organization, not tax incentive, no government grant, no community project can do what you and I can do. We are the Body of Christ. We are the world’s greatest hope. We are the salt and light of the world. We are the light that can’t be extinguished. We are the church of Christ.
Sunday night at Keva Juice I met a lady who I misjudged. She looked old enough that she seemed out of place in a juice bar. She had a slow, gentle nature about her. She had a kind smile and tired eyes.
She came in near closing. She said she needed a pick-me-up since she was worn out. She had begun the day at 6:30 AM and had not stopped, she said.
“Mmm. 6:30 on a Sunday morning? She must be a Christian,” I thought to myself. “Who else would be up at 6:30 on a Sunday morning?” So, I casually said something to her about church. I was taught not to talk religion or politics to strangers so I was cautious.
Wow, did I strike a nerve! Instantly I found myself knee deep in a conversation about BOTH religion and politics. . . . Actually, “conversation” is not the right word. I did little more than shake my head and utter an occasional, “Uh uh.”
Turns out this kind, gentle, older woman with tired eyes was anything but. For a solid ten minutes she passionately explained her views of the potential crises that would soon engulf us if we elected the wrong political party.
She had strong opinions about drilling for oil, the environment, the stupidity of politicians from a certain party, and teaching evolution vs. creationism in school. Yes, she was a Christian. Yes, she had been to church that morning. But it was clear from her tone and the gamut of topics she covered that politics was her passion.
A few things have occurred to me since this experience.
I know most of us don’t communicate this way when we’re sharing the gospel, but I still can’t help wondering how we come across to the world?
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!
Categories: Christ Point Church · Missional
