SPECIAL: Relational Evangelism & Christian Witness during COVID-19

This week on season two of Following Jesus with Christ Church, our co-hosts talk with the Christ Church Coronavirus Task Force Committee (CVTF). This group has been assembled to help our church navigate the times. We are joined by Doctors Bryan Burke and Janelle Stutzman who bring their medical backgrounds and love for the church together to help lead and guide us during this time.

There are many good resources provided for you during this time. Check out Christ Church's website.

Missed Season one? You can find all our archived episodes on our website or through most podcast apps.

Grace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew Vandermaas and Addison Hawkins talk with David Hopson. David and his family spent time as missionaries in Albania and Macedonia and upon their return to the states David has pursued a career in the police force. David, Andrew and Addison talk about their story, the ups and downs of 2020 and David's perspective as a police officer during this time. Stay tuned.

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew Vandermaas and Addison Hawkins talk with the Regional Director for Campus Outreach West Michigan. During this episode we learn about the heart of Campus Outreach and their desire to see the gospel of grace through Jesus Christ reach thousands of young lives during their college years.

Campus Outreach has its roots in the PCA, starting in the 1980's at Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Fast forward to 2020 and West Michigan is gaining another partner for the gospel. 

To learn more about Campus Outreach, including who they are and what they believe check out the Campus Outreach Central Illinois (COCI) web page here.

COCI is where the COWM is being planted from. Kenny Hayes and his team are uprooting from Peoria Illinois to Kalamazoo and then later to Grand Rapids. Listen to the episode to find out more about their timeline.

Please be praying for Kenny Hayes and his family as they look to launch COWM at Western Michigan University this fall.

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Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member.

Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew Vandermaas and Addison Hawkins discuss the recent events that have sparked some racial tensions. Join us as we dialogue about the pain that is there, the gospel invitation and some resources to aid us in our journey of listening and learning.

Christ Church has to contemplate how it enters into this narrative and story. We can not sit on the sidelines during such a time as this. So what do we do? We begin by lamenting and praying, two actions we will continue to do as long as it is warranted. But what next? Many of you have asked a similar question, what should/will the church do? Lets explore this together and seek out the Lord as we enter into this narrative.

Below you will find a list of resources Andrew & Addison compiled. Each of these resources has a strength. There is not one, except the Bible, great resource for this issue (or any other issue.) We recommend that you take a few of these and spend some time working through them. It's always better to read with others, consider starting a reading/listening/watching club with some of these resources. This is just a snippet, not exhaustive list of resources for your consideration.

Sermons & Podcasts:

• Rev. Kevin Smith -- the Witness of Unity
• Rev. Kevin Smith -- For the Sake of the Gospel
• Scene on Radio Podcast - 14 Episode series called “Seeing White”

Shorter Reads/Articles & Papers:

• Report on Racial and Ethnic Reconciliation
• Russ Whitfield article mentioned by Andrew in the show
• The Gospel and the pursuit of Justice in your City

Longer Reads:

• Cultural Intelligence -- David Livermore
• Dynamic Diversity -- Bruce Milne
• The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism -- Jemar Tisby
• A City within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids -- Todd E. Robinson
• The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity -- Soong-Chan Rah
• Unreached: Growing Churches in Working-class and Deprived Areas --Tim Chester
• Urban Apologetics: Answering Challenges to Faith for Urban Believers -- Christopher Brooks
• African American Urban History Since WWII (Historical Studies of Urban America) -- Kenneth L. Kusmer & Joe W. Trotter 

Movies & Documentaries:

• Just Mercy (Currently free to watch on many streaming platforms)
• The Pruitt-Igoe Myth
• Selma
• 12 Years a Slave
• The Birth of a Nation

There are many more resources out there, this is just a sample of some to help guide you through this time.

You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here.

Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member.

Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew Vander Maas and Addison Hawkins reflect on where we have been and wrap up the premier season of Following Jesus with Christ Church. Over the past ten weeks we have walked with you all through this medium. There have been stories of coping, of laughter, of difficult decisions and of wrestling through uncertain futures. In episode 29 Andrew and Addison reflect on some of these stories and contemplate what lessons and observations we have made along the way.

Resources/Links

• You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here.
• More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page.

Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member.

Don't forget to check back from time to time over the next couple of months. We will be posting some one off podcasts designed to keep the stories and observations going during this time.

Grace & Peace

**The L'Abri Way: Conversations with Schaeffer event link here. If you would like to sign up and discuss three of Francis Schaeffers lectures with pastor Addison over the next few weeks follow the link above. You don't have to know anything about L'Abri, or Schaeffer. These lectures are stimulating and challenging while also giving us some food for thought in today's culture and society. For more information click here.**

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew and Addison talk with members Rob Laplaca and Rebekah Courtney. Rob and Rebekah are both involved at Christ Church in various ways, serving the youth group primarily as well as through music and other various committees and activities. Rob and Rebekah are due to get married this summer. During our conversation you'll hear how that process has been going, some of the challenges and some of the realizations. We had a lot of fun during this episode, we hope you do too!

Resources/Links:

• More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page.

You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here.

Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member.

Grace & Peace

**The L'Abri Way: Conversations with Schaeffer event link here. If you would like to sign up and discuss three of Francis Schaeffers lectures with pastor Addison over the next few weeks follow the link above. You don't have to know anything about L'Abri, or Schaeffer. These lectures are stimulating and challenging while also giving us some food for thought in today's culture and society. For more information click here.**

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew and Addison talk with long time member Dan Denk. Dan is working on a book project and took some time to discuss the content of that book, Christian joy, with us.

Quotes:

“Rather, joy is a steady disposition about life, very much connected to peace and hope. We might say that joy is a hopeful and peaceful outlook on life, a deep-seated sense of well-being. Similar to love, joy is not self-serving, but others directed. Unlike happiness, it is not dependent upon circumstances or happenstance. We can experience joy even in times of trouble and hardship.For example, we might say about someone, “Mary has been through a lot, yet she is a deeply joyful Person.” - Dan Denk, pg 1

“I am on a journey of joy.” - Dan Denk, pg 4

Scripture Resources:

¹² You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. - Is 55:12

¹¹ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
¹² that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! - Psalm 30:11-12

² Count it all joy, my brothers,^[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4

Resources/Links:

• We would recommend that you read C.S. Lewis' Surprised by Joy as a great connection to this topic of Christian Joy. 
• More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page.

You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here.

Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member.

Grace & Peace

**The L'Abri Way: Conversations with Schaeffer event link here. If you would like to sign up and discuss three of Francis Schaeffers lectures with pastor Addison over the next few weeks follow the link above. You don't have to know anything about L'Abri, or Schaeffer. These lectures are stimulating and challenging while also giving us some food for thought in today's culture and society. For more information click here.**

pisode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with two church planters in the Grand Rapids & West Michigan area. Dan Naulty, pastor & planter of Faith Presbyterian in Jenison Michigan as well as Ben Seneker, pastor & planter of Gracehill. During our conversation we talk about the roller coaster ride of church planting and the effect COVID-19 has had on worship, gathering as well as personal challenges. Both Dan & Ben were gracious and their attitudes of humility shine as they navigate their way through this strange and different tmes.

For more information about Faith Presbyterian in Jenison, check out their website and Facebook page. You can also reach Pastor Dan via email or through their social media accounts @FaithJenison.

For more information about Gracehill in downtown Grand Rapids, check out their website and Facebook page. You can also reach Pastor Ben via email or through their social media accounts @GracehillGR.

Resources/Links:

• For more information about Faith Presbyterian in Jenison, check out their website and Facebook page. You can also reach Pastor Dan via email or through their social media accounts @FaithJenison.
• For more information about Gracehill in downtown Grand Rapids, check out their website and Facebook page. You can also reach Pastor Ben via email or through their social media accounts @GracehillGR.
• More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page.

You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here.

Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member.

Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church Andrew & Addison talk with Kevin Martin about how to be thoughtful with our technology during COVID. Kevin works for a technology company where the vast majority of his communication has been online for the past few years. While Kevin may be engaged with digital trends, the way technology is taking us and how it is created to sometimes use us as its product, his family has drawn some lines at home. Listen in on this interesting and fun conversation.

Recent Statistics:

• Netflix: the last 4-quarters averaged 60.4 million streaming subscribers, Q120 69.9 million, a 15% increase.
•  Zoom: December 2019 ended with roughly 10 million daily meeting participants. March 2020 - 200 million, and April 2020 - 300 million+.
• Wearable Technology: from 2018 to 2019 unit shipments of wearable technology (think Fitbit, Applewatch) nearly double to 62.9 million...it’s only accelerated since the beginning of 2020.

Quotes from the show:

"networks are no substitute for the neighborhoods in which we live. It’s not just the power of proximity that binds us together, it’s the sense of responsibility for each other. Put simply: who can you count on to cut your lawn, shovel your sidewalk or bring you chicken soup when you are sick? More often than not, it’s a neighbor from your community, not a connection on from your social accounts" - Dave McCay

Resources/Links:

• Want to read a book on technology and our use of it? Try Cal Newports Digital Minimalism.
• Another great resource for stewarding our technology is Andy Crouch's The Tech-Wise Family.
• More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page.

You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here.

Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member.

Grace & Peace