God Give Me Strength from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Special Music :: Jasmine Clawson from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Micah Bournes, one of Antioch’s interns from last summer, is heading back up from Long Beach, CA.

I’m really looking forward to having him around for the next year and seeing all the cool things that will come of it!

(Below are Micah and Grace performing a rap Micah wrote from last Summer.)

One of the coolest things about the team’s return from Nicaragua was the comment made by the couple who have been running ministries down there for 12 years…

Their comment was, “In twelve years of hosting trips, the team from your church is the most missionally mature we’ve ever had.”

Both Matt and I are pretty proud of Antioch missions – pretty cool that a group of people are learning to serve rather than be served when it comes to short-term trips!!

(Here’s a picture of one of Antioch’s Elders, Rick Gerhardt, playing with a soccer ball – he’s actually quite good!)

Two weeks ago, the World Relief team here from Bend headed to Boise, Idaho with several of the musicians from the Congo Benefit Project Album and did a Congo Benefit Concert in the historic downtown Egyptian Theatre.

There were over 400 in attendance, around 500 CD’s were sold and over $5,000 was raised to help our brothers and sisters in Congo.

Boise actually has a resettlement program for Congo refugees, so a Congolese choir and speaker joined the lineup for this concert.

Pretty cool stuff!!

Also, click here to see the Congo Benefit Project on iTunes (new as of a week or so ago!!)

Special Music :: David Blok from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Guest Speaker :: Mark Mitchell from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Several updates that have been needed to the blog are now done!!

One in particular, that comments weren’t showing up, is now fixed.

So, comment away!!!!

Also, make sure to check out the wonderful folks (Jane and Mike) at Custom Photography Blogs who are always so helpful with mine.

A team from Antioch has been in Nicaragua all week (they return tomorrow).

One of the primary things they’ve been doing is ministering to women at the House of Hope, which houses some 200 women saved from either prostitution or sex trafficking.

Below is a link to Amanda Winger’s blog where you can read about the ministry as well as how the Antioch team has been involved.

I think this trip, like most short-term trips, is doing as much if not more to change the people who went from Antioch than the women in Nicaragua.

The hope is for a long-term relationship that would allow for us to truly make a difference and express love to these beautiful people in need.

Click here for Amanda’s blog.

Today is the last day for intro pricing etc. and a chance to win a free iPad for The Justice Conference.

Spread the word and make sure to register — you don’t want to miss out on this one!!

P.S. I’ve had a lot of friends who have been criticized by other Christians for being involved in The Justice Conference.  If it helps, simply rename the conference The Love People In Jesus’ Name Conference. Also, here’s a link to an audio only clip from Redux explaining the difference uses of the phrase Social Justice.

A couple of new questions up on Redux.

Here’s a short clip discussing the writings of N.T. Wright (who I highly recommend!)

On the Writings of N.T. Wright from :redux on Vimeo.

Testimony Video :: Kevin Crew from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Wisdom and the American Church from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Check out the Antioch Family Camp 2010 Recap Video!!

Family Camp 2010 from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

At Antioch we have what is called a Benevolence Fund.

The Benevolence Fund is money that we use to help families in need within the Antioch community with such things as bills, medical needs, stuff for kids, car repairs etc. etc.

It is one of the coolest parts of church – when the community is able to lend a helping hand to people who need one.  It is what makes church look like family.

Anyway, the Antioch Benevolence Fund has fallen on hard times – meaning it has gotten a LOT of use.  We have been able to help dozens and dozens of families and individuals this year as Bend has gone through some pretty hard economic times.

I’m writing to let the internet world know that the Benevolence Fund (often called “Love Offerings”) could use a little love itself!!

If you’d be able to help replenish this fund and our ability to help people out, simply click on the link below and select Benevolence Fund (Love Offerings) as the designation option for your donation.

https://www.antiochchurch.org/cc/give.asp

Thanks for the consideration – it is greatly appreciated!!

Ken

Matt Smith :: Wisdom Part III from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Check out this new blog by my good friend, and Antioch mom, Brenda Jacobson.

It is called “Growing up Mom” and is for all those mothers out there trying to keep their sanity while doing their best to raise up godly kids.

Brenda is the real deal and she’s quite the writer too!!

Here’s the link: http://growingupmom-brenda.blogspot.com/

Some video clips of Ed Underwood answering questions at Redux are up online.

Here’s one on Immigration and Border Security – seems to be a hot topic among Christians these days!

Here are two pictures of the family from our time in the California Redwoods.

Loved vacation, but will be excited to be back at Antioch this Sunday!

Here’s my good buddy Ed Underwood from last Sunday at Antioch.  Ed came up to pinch hit (so I could get away with the family) and do a book signing on his new book, Reborn to Be Wild.

One of the most authentic pastor voices I know!

Guest Speaker :: Ed Underwood from Antioch Church on Vimeo.