West Side Christian Church – News
News and Updates from West Side Christian Church
Easter Sunday at West Side was the best I can recall. Our staff and volunteer teams were as well-prepared as I’ve seen us. If you made it to one of our four gatherings, God’s strong presence and yours made it a terrific day! To those who were traveling, I sincerely hope you enjoyed your getaway; however, you missed a day of extraordinary worship and hope at West Side.
Every message series we deliver is designed to connect, but the current Plan B series has the potential to help more people in deeper ways than any series we’ve hosted in a long time. Many people believe that, somewhere along the way, they took an exit ramp from the route their lives were intended to take. For some, it was by choice. For others, the change of direction was forced on them by circumstances or people. The big question for people who’ve had this experience is, “Now what?”
During Plan B we are discovering how to move forward when God allows our lives to be driven in unexpected or unwanted directions. Some poignant testimonies from Westsiders are illustrating how powerfully God works for good in our lives, even when everything isn’t good. I just previewed this Sunday’s testimony – it is powerful.
Please don’t miss even a week of Plan B, if you can prevent it.
If you were a guest at West Side Easter Sunday, thanks for being in the house! I’d love for you to return this weekend for the next installment of Plan B. We will unpack the experiences of a biblical character whose life has inspired movies and Broadway musicals – someone who clearly demonstrates that God loves bringing a Plan B together!
Excited for this Sunday,
Eddie Lowen
Lead Minister
Many of you have heard about the deadly landslide that has took place on April 4, 2012 near our sponsored community in the Mathare Valley. What follows is an update from Fred Juma, one of our partners with CMF. Please be in prayer with us for those who have been impacted by this event.
Hey,
I have just confirmed that none of our children or parents have been affected directly. However, we lost Victor Oduor who was a CHE committee member, he has been confirmed dead in the tragedy, Victor’s house also got destroyed. We also have two CHE committee members (Albert Opiyo and Peter Omondi) whose houses were demolished to pave way for the rescue efforts.
The rescue efforts also affected us by having some of our building materials that had been kept at the roadside cleared hence were thrown into the ‘mitaro’ or crushed to pave way. One of the CHE committee members whose house got demolished is currently seeking shelter with his family in one room of the incomplete toilet block, he is married and has two children, that’s Albert Opiyo.
Just got another update that Victor Otieno of 1R whose mother’s house was also demolished by the rescue team. If i get any further updates, I will tell you.
Sincerely,
Fred Juma
Remember the jingle (the advertisement song) for Lifesavers candy and mints? The lyrics were: Lifesavers – a part of living.
I like that phrase because it describes my vision for the How to Save a Life series. Assisting people who need to take a step toward Christ needs to become natural and constant for us – a part of living.
But to make that a reality, we have to bust some myths – or, you could say, break some rules:
First, we have to break the rule about not hanging out with sinners. True, too much time (or the wrong activities) with people who are far from God can be
dangerous for us, morally and spiritually. But Jesus spent intentional time building relationships with people who were far from God. As long as we
don’t compromise our character, God wants us to “eat with sinners.” Think of it as found-sinners eating with lost-sinners.
Second, we need to break the rule about always playing it safe. When the four friends of the paralyzed man in Mark 2 carried him to the roof, tore a hole in it, and lowered him down into the presence of Jesus – they were taking some huge chances (being misunderstood, being prosecuted, interrupting Jesus, etc.). But there are “divine appointments” or key moments when a bold act of concern or love by us can carry people over the line of faith. Look for them! Take them!
We will unpack and break a third rule this Sunday – the rule that we shouldn’t be too enthusiastic about the whole Jesus-thing. The Bible says there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven by which people can be saved. If we travel too far down the road of political correctness or respecting the spiritual viewpoints of others, we actually convey a lack of confidence in Christ.
This Sunday’s worship and teaching is vital for us – don’t miss it. It will be one of those moments when we confirm what we believe and increase our passion for it. So, please make the effort to be here Sunday!
Anticipating a great day,
Eddie Lowen
Lead Guy
