Serving as Senders!

This past Thursday, the Ridderings, our missionaries to Burkina Faso, returned home for a brief furlough.  Needless to say, it was great to see them!  They looked wonderful and it was so great to see how excited they were about all that God is doing through their ministry.

As we picked them up at the airport, I was, once again, reminded of the tremendous privilege that we have to serve as their sending church.  How many churches never experience the satisfaction, the joy and the burden of sending one of their own to the mission field?  Yet, God has given us this awesome responsibility. 

As many of you know, Vickie and I served for fifteen years as missionaries to Mexico and Central America.  During our tenure as missionaries, we were blessed to have a phenomenal sending church.  They not only gave us very generous support, but they also loved us, cared for us and were involved in our lives and ministry.  To this day, they serve as an example for us to follow.

What are the responsibilities of a sending church?  How can we at Hollywood Community Church serve the Ridderings and any other missionaries that follow in their steps?  Apart from our obvious responsibilities like financially supporting them and praying for them, here are a few practical things that would bless them greatly.

1. Read their blog and prayer letters

This sounds like a simple and insignificant task, yet it is extremely important.   In their blogs and other communications the Ridderings share  their struggles, their hurts, their needs and their blessings.  They open themselves up and share these personal experiences and feelings with us so that we might better understand and pray for their ministry.  When we fail to read their communications we drop the ball and we neglect our responsibility. 

I will never forget the hurt and disappointment that I experienced on one of our furloughs.  It was after the birth of our daughter Amber.  We had faithfully shared with our supporters all of the struggles that we had faced with her birth, near death, and prolonged hospitalization.  We shared those things believing that our churches were reading them and praying for us.  How sad we were to realize that some of our supporting churches were clueless to Amber's birth and condition because they failed to read our prayer letters.  Let's make sure that Hollywood Community Church does not make that mistake!

You can find their blog at www.reachburkina.com

 2. Remember them on their birthdays and on holidays

Without a doubt, holidays and special days are some of the most difficult times for a missionary to be on the foreign field.  Everyone, including missionaries, wants to be with family on those special occasions.  The fact that they are separated from their loved ones is just part of the struggle, though.  They often are unable to follow the family traditions that make the holidays so special... they may not be able to get a turkey on Thanksgiving or a tree for Christmas.  They miss hearing Christmas carols or participating in 4th of July cookouts.  

It is amazing how a simple phone call, an e-card or a birthday note on Facebook can bring a smile to a discouraged missionary. The realization that they are not forgotten, but extremely loved gives them unbelievable comfort and joy.   So, put their birthdays on your calendar and make sure and communicate with them during the holidays.

3. Express interest in their kids

Often we forget that missionary kids are missionaries too.  Often mom and dad get all of the attention and the kids can be ignored.  From experience I can tell you that it is a huge blessing whenever someone takes special interest the missionary's children. Here are a few things that you can do for them...

* Keep them stocked up on their favorite candy.

* Send DVD's of their favorite movies.

* Have your kids write to them.

* Tell them how much your appreciate their dedication as MK's.

* Have the children's ministry or youth group correspond with them.

* Pay to have them go to youth camp.

The Ridderings are in the US for the next thirty days.  Let's look for ways to love them, honor them and let them know how special they are to us.  Let's serve as senders!



Cusco, Peru

Lessons from Cusco

Last week, six of us from Hollywood Community Church traveled to Cusco, Peru to visit and minister with Rudy and Lorraine Johnson.   Having spent ten years in Mexico City as a missionary and having traveled to more than 15 different countries on missions trips I have had many missionary experiences.  This past week, I flew out of Miami with the thought that this was going to be just another trip. Little did I know that God had some very special lessons that He wanted me to learn. 

The purpose of this trip was to help the Johnsons with the preparation for the eighth anniversary celebration of Tambo de Gozo.  Eight years ago Rudy and Lorraine founded Tambo de Gozo which is a camp and retreat center an hour outside of Cusco.  Actually located in the small town of Pisac, Tambo de Gozo has been a rest haven for missionaries and pastors in the country of Peru.  In addition, to operating the camp, the Johnsons have a desire to reach the town of Pisac with the Gospel.  That has proven to be a challenge.  With the majority of the town being of Quechua Indian descent, that task has proven difficult even for experienced and successful missionaries like the Johnsons.

Spending five days in the high altitude environment of Pisac was therapeutic for me in a variety of ways.  Here are a few of the lessons that God taught me during my short stay.

1.  Ministry passion is not dependent upon ministry success -  After seven years of ministry in Pisac, the Johnsons have just a handful of believers that are meeting on a regular basis.  For many pastors and missionaries, including me, that just might be an enthusiasm buster and a passion popper.  But not for Rudy and Lorraine, their passion for the people of Pisac seems just as strong as when they arrived.  I will never forget setting across the table from Rudy and seeing him express his burden for the people of Pisac with a broken heart.  At eighty-years old he still has a God-given burden to reach his town with the Gospel.  

2. The Gospel message must be planted and watered before there is any chance of a harvest.  After 40 years of success in city of Lima, the Johnsons are now ministering in an area where there has been very little evangelistic effort.  As a result, the spiritual fruit will not be reaped as quickly nor as abundantly as in other areas of Peru.  The present work of the Johnsons is one of planting, watering and cultivating the hearts of the residents of their small town.  That is a process that could take months or even years.  Yet, the harvest will never be reaped until the planting and watering work is done.

The apostle Paul made reference to that truth in I Corinthians 3:6 - I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.  I am determined to fervently pray that God blesses the preaching of the Gospel in Pisac and that soon there will be a stable and growing body of believers.

3.  God fulfills his promise to send laborers into the harvest.  Several years ago while in their late seventies, the Johnsons prayed Luke 10:2 asking God to send another missionary family to Pisac who could carry on the work that they had begun.  God did just that by sending the Duke family.  Daniel, his wife Laura and their three kids answered the call to Pisac four years ago.  In a short period of time they have adjusted to the culture, learned the language, jumped into the work and even started a growing church in the city of Cusco.  Our group was greatly impressed with the passion and dedication of Daniel and his family.  We are excited about the possibility of working for years to come with the Duke family.

There are so many lessons to be learned on the mission field.  Why don't you travel with us?  I am confident that God will do a work in your heart as He did in mine!

Cuzco, here we come!

This week our Peru Mission's team leaves for the city of Cuzco.  Our Peru team is made up of Jim & Bev Russell, Donna Anderson, Tara Hahr, Steve Shirley, Cathy Humphrey and me.  The team will be traveling in several shifts.  Five of the team members leave from Miami International Airport Sunday night at midnight; Mrs. Cathy Humphrey joins them on Monday and I will be flying out late Tuesday night. 

The city of Cuzco is located in southeastern Peru.  The city is nestled in the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range.  The elevation is around 11,000 feet, and it is most known for being the historic capital of the Inca Empire.  Although the city is close to 1,000 years old, it is still considered one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

We will be working with missionaries Rudy and Lorraine Johnson.  The Johnsons have been missionaries in Peru since of May of 1958.   After spending many years in Lima, the capital of Peru, God has now called them to Cusco...and specifically the town of Pisac.   God has used them in a mighty way in their seven years in Cuzco.  During that time they have been able to start several churches, Open Doors community outreach, a bi-lingual school k4-4th grade, and an Upward Sports program.  You can check out their web site if you would like further information - http://www.cuscoperu.org/CuscoPeru/CuscoPeru.org.html

Our team will be helping to prepare and lead a large city-wide evangelistic event that will take place on Saturday, April 14th.  According to Rudy, hundreds of people from the surrounding community will participate in activities for both children as well as adults.  In addition, there will be an evangelistic service in which the Gospel will be presented to all of the guests.

Here is how you can pray for us

1. Pray for our health.  Anytime you travel to another country, eat new food and adjust to an new environment there is a possibility of sickness.  Specifically pray that our bodies will quickly adapt to the high altitude.

2. Pray that we can be a blessing to the Johnsons as well as the other missionaries in Cuzco.

3. Pray that the Saturday's evangelistic event will produce fruit.  As with any missions trip, our primary purpose is to share the Gospel with those to whom we will minister.

4. Pray that the Lord speaks to our hearts.  Our desire is that this trip will produce in our hearts a greater burden for missions and a greater willingness to serve the Lord at HCC.

5. Pray for our families during our absence.

Lord willing, we will be able to give you some updates from Cuzco.  I am so thankful to be part of a church with a heart for the world.  Thank you for partnering with us in prayer! 

Preparing for Easter at Hollywood Community Church



This weekend, we  remember and celebrate the fact that our Lord is alive.  That truth is the foundation of the Christian faith.  Theologian Gerald O’Collins said it this way:  “In a profound sense, Christianity without the resurrection is not simply Christianity without its final chapter.  It is not Christianity at all.”   Theologian Brian Burkholder would say it a different way, “Christianity without the resurrection is like apple pie without the apples.  It's like Raisin Bran without the raisins.  Why, it is like black beans without the rice."   

You get the idea.  The resurrection of Christ is vital to everything that we believe.  Jesus Himself stated in John 11:25. “… I am the resurrection and the life.  Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."   What a tremendous thought.  Because Jesus rose from the dead, we do not have to fear death.  As Paul says in I Corinthians 15, death has lost its sting.  We are now completely victorious in Jesus Christ.

Let me remind you that there are three tremendous opportunities to worship at HCC this Easter weekend.

Good Friday

Communion Service - 12:00 pm

Easter Sunday

Encuentro - 9:00 am

Easter Celebration - 10:00 am

Let me challenge you to do the following things in preparation for this glorious weekend...

1. Plan on attending both Friday and Sunday - The Good Friday service will be powerful, contemplative and worshipful.  You will be given a unique opportunity to take the Lord's supper in an initmate and memorable way with your family.

2. Fast and pray -  Fasting is not a way to manipulate God to do something. It is not our trying to prove to God how much we love Him, as if He would be motivated by our commitment. Fasting simply reminds us of our complete dependence on God. In the same way that our bodies hunger and thirst for food and drink, our souls long for God. Fasting gives us an opportunity to focus on that hunger and thirst, then to seek after the presence of God that satisfies us and fills us with joy.

I want to challenge our church family to take either a lunch hour or dinner time to fast and pray. Use the time to pray for revival in yourself and your family, in our church, in our city, and beyond.   Pray that God's Word would convict hearts and show them their need of Jesus Christ. 

3. Invite a guest - 96% of South Florida is unchurched.  Yet, many of those unchurched people will be looking for a place to worship this weekend. Let me encourage you to invite your family, friends and neighbors.  Who knows? They just might accept your invitation, come to church and give their life to Christ!

4. Come expecting a blessing!  Come with a sense of anticipation, expecting God to do something in your heart and in the lives of others.

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

Missionary Prayer Groups at HCC

Last week we concluded a tremendous Missions Celebration at Hollywood Community Church. During the weekend we were repeatedly reminded of the fact that each of us has a responsibility in fulfilling the Great Commission.  Regardless of whether we go to a foreign country as a missionary or whether we stay at home to serve as  senders, all of us have a job to do.  All of us are a piece in the puzzle of world evangelism.

One of the most effective ways that you can serve as a sender is to faithfully pray for our missionaries.  With that goal in mind, we are excited to announce the formation of Missionary Prayer Groups (MPG’s).   

What are MPG’s?  MPG’s are small groups of individuals that make a commitment to pray for HCC missionaries that are located in a specific geographic area. 

What are the geographic divisions?  Right now we are planning on forming groups for Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

How often will each MPG meet?  The plan is for each group to meet once a month.

What will happen in the MPG meetings?  Before each meeting you will receive the missionary prayer letters from the missionaries in your region of the world.  As you meet together you will discuss the missionary’s blessings and prayer requests.  You will then spend time in prayer for each of the missionaries.

Can the MPG’s communicate with their missionaries?  Yes, we encourage each group to maintain contact with their missionaries via Facebook, Skype, and email. 

We must remember that the fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission becomes possible only by the power of God, released through prayer.  Will you become part of our prayer team?  Allow God to use you as a prayer warrior for missions.

Please contact the Hollywood Community Church office for more details  954-322-4302

The Ridderings arrived!

On Tuesday, Mike, Amy and Delaney (and Apple) Riddering arrived in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso.  Below is Mike's first letter detailing the events of their first few days in the capital city. It is well worth reading. Let me encourage you to keep them in prayer!

You officially have Missionaries on African soil! It has been a wild few days. The flights were long, and we feel a little beat up, but we are all here and accounted for. The first leg of our journey went from Miami to Paris. The plane was delayed so we had to run through the airport after we picked up our dog from baggage and try to check her in for the next flight. We ended up making it with minutes to spare. Then we left France and landed in Niamey, Niger where we had to sit on the runway for an hour before taking off once again to Ougadougou. The good news is that the Ouagadougou airport has had some major improvements since I was here last year! They actually had a luggage belt instead of the former "Mountain 'O Luggage" that you had to climb and pick through in the past. A huge difference!

Then we knew we were in Africa. We had 30 people trying to help with luggage and helping escort us to the 60 taxi drivers outside trying to drive us. We were able to negotiate a fair price for 2 Taxis (one for us, one for luggage). After my taxi driver asked me to step out and help push start the taxi, we were on our way. Driving through Ouaga is a life experience that I look forward to Jose enjoying! They whisked us away with luggage tied to the roof, luggage in the seats, and 4 white people and a dog hanging on for dear life! We arrived at a missionaries home here in the capital that we rented for a few days while they are state side. End day one!

We woke the next morning and were greeted by a local that the missionaries recommended. He speaks good english, and was able to show us around town a bit. We went to the market and around town to look at housewares and other little items that we will be needing for the house in Yako, as well as getting our cell phones. After going to 3 different cell phone companies, we found one that actually had 2 phones in stock. YAY! Being that the cell phone purchase itself was a few hour process, we decided to call it quits for the day and head home and prepare to go out to dinner for Amy's birthday. 7:00 rolls around and we go to dinner at a place very near here called Gondwana. After a great dinner with our new friends, most of us were ready to retire. My brain on the other hand was zipping on eastern standard time still, so I was wide awake until well after 2 a.m! Being that I forgot to find a converter for the chargers on the computers, we were down to facebooking on I-Pods (If i was a little more "hip" of course I would have had many options for electronics at this point........ I did not. :) End day 2!

Today was day 3. I woke up early, and hit the road with our friend Johoachim. That's when Amy had the great Idea of taking the truck and taking a look around town. It was fun for the first hour or two, but was difficult for the next three as I tried to find our way home. SO LOST!!! Yes, it was dark and late, but we made it home. I realized how useless a road map is, if streets dont have any names! WOW! Cant wait to go to Yako! We leave for our home in Yako tomorrow at noon. We will spend Christmas there at the orphanage with the children and 2 short term missionaries from Germany! We will then return to the capital on January 3rd to begin 2 weeks of language lessons.

It is quite the adventure that God has us on! One thing that I have certainly learned is that there is never a dull moment when were living a life submitted to God!

Looking forward to sharing with you soon!

God Bless


Mike, Amy, Delaney, (and apple too)



Men, We Need Each Other!

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.  Proverbs 27:17

As men, we pride ourselves in being independent.  Women may need each other's support, but not us. We are fully capable of making our own decisions, finding our way without asking for directions, meeting our own needs and protecting our families.  We simply don't need anyone else, right? WRONG!

Although, I am confident that I could come up with many reasons why we need each other's support, the most important is that we need to keep each other on track.  We need to be accountable to one another, especially in the area of sexual purity and marital fidelity.  Recent statistics show that 50% of married men are unfaithful to their wives.  50%!  That's one out of every two; two out of every four; four out of every... well,  you get the math.  What a heartbreaking statistic.

In a recent blog post, Albert Mohler, who is the President of Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY spoke about how important a man's church is to his ability to overcome sin and temptation.  You can read the entire article here... http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/12/05/for-christian-men-the-lessons-of-herman-cain/.  Here is what Mohler wrote...

Christianity is not to be lived in isolation. We are called together into congregations of fellow believers, living together in submission to Christ and growing together by the ministry of the Word. Christian men desperately need the strength and accountability that comes through faithful membership in a Gospel church.

The congregation must provide moral protections as well as moral instruction. The men of the congregation, old and young together, must be a band of brothers ready to pray for one another, to encourage one another, to confront one another, to admonish one another, to protect one another, and to stand together in faithfulness to Christ.

Do your Christian brothers know of your practices, patterns of life, and principles of conduct? Are they ready to defend you should an accusation come? Do you regularly seek the counsel of your brothers in deciding how to conduct your marriage, your business life, and your professional practices? If not, you are in trouble already.

Guys, the truth is that we need each other.  Let me encourage you to find someone to whom you can be accountable.  Choose a friend that can be your accountability partner.  Join a men's small group.  Meet with one of your pastors.  Find someone that can give you biblical and godly counsel.  If not, you might find yourself so dull that your testimony and ability to be used of God may be lost.