Lessons from the Flower Girl

One of my favorite parts about summer is making a trip back home to the glorious countryside of Mississippi. I generally fill my days making plans with family and friends, soaking in the Mississippi sun poolside, and gleaming over my dad’s abundance of garden vegetables. This summer, my trip also included a visit with some family friends, catching up on ministry successes and reminiscing about faded memories of childhood. Without getting too sappy and sentimental, I want to share part of their story as a greater part of the story of the Kingdom. 

I first met Ricky when he came to our church as a youth pastor. He soon met his wife and it wasn’t long before sparks were flying, merciless teasing ensued from teenagers, and they were planning for marriage. I was so excited when they asked me to be the flower girl, which for every seven year old girly girl is a dream come true. I remember feeling so glamorous in my fancy new dress with my hair pinned just like the bridesmaids and my pretty basket of petals hanging by my side. I felt like a little princess…at least for the first five minutes or so.

That feeling quickly evaporated and was replaced by constant squirming and impatience. Being the well mannered little girl my mom taught me to be, I tried to listen as my dad went on and on about marriage, trying desperately not to wiggle and squirm, but with little avail. I watched Ricky and Kim, lost in love and distraction, trying as hard as a little girl can not to think about my hurting feet or how itchy my dress was all of the sudden while my dad continued to preach. 

My mind wondered to the crowd, thinking how unfair it was they got to sit in their comfortable pews and watch from afar while I stood up close and personal. So, with very little grace and a mind of great determination, I decided if they could sit and watch, so could I. Setting my basket of rose petals aside, I plopped down on the front step of the stage for the duration of the ceremony. After all, I didn’t want to miss anything! Forgetting where I was or the wrinkling my pretty dress, I sat mesmerized by the couple before me.

While years have passed and our relationship has grown, in many ways I am still very much that same little girl, sitting in rapt attention before Ricky and Kim, watching as they love one another well and live out the gospel well before others in their community and ministry. Marriage is a ministry. It always has been. Like marriage covenants, ministry relationships too grow from commitment, hard work, and longevity. Relationships and friendships are the trellis that holds the vive as it grows.

Why do I share this story? Because it occurred to me while I was having dinner with Ricky and Kim and their three boys on my trip of how uniquely blessed I have been by their family. The same summer Ricky and Kim married is the summer I began my relationship with the Lord. They watched, taught, and participated in my own spiritual growth and discipleship throughout my teen years. They were there when I was baptized. I listened to Ricky preach his first sermon. I’ve held their infant sons and years later chased them around their house in tickle monster wars as their babysitter. Even a few years ago when I needed an expert puzzle master to pack as much as humanly possible into a truck so that I could move hundreds of miles away to seminary, Ricky was there, bungee cords and tarps in hand. Ricky and Kim have not only magnified Christ in their marriage, but also in their discipleship and friendship to me. For over eighteen years they have been in my life. How many youth can say the same about their youth pastor?

It amazes me to think how often those of us committed to ministry have a much more near sighted vision than we care to think. Every semester I hear staggering statistics of those in ministry who leave offering various excuses as they exit the church or walk away from difficult situations. It is too hard. It isn’t worth it. I won’t really make a difference. This is not what they taught me in seminary. I just can’t give up ­­­______. However, the moment we view ministry as a 9-5 job we lose what Christ means by forsake it all and follow me. Ministry is a lifetime of Christian friendships, a commitment that doesn't end when the last person pulls away from the church parking lot. It doesn't end when ministry becomes difficult or inconvenient. It doesn't end. 

Remember. Christ is worth it. His bride is worth it.

I am so blessed to have Ricky and Kim in my life, as mentors, friends, and a gracious picture of ministry longevity. May we labor to build kingdom ministries based on long term discipleship, of having greater vision for those we impact for the kingdom, and always looking ahead with  expectation to the day when all of the Church worships before the King. May He increase our vision, and may we strive to serve His church with both humility and earnest longevity. 

Grow!

I’m a horrible gardener. For boasting about my Mississippi roots and love for the Deep South, I must admit that one thing I never cared for was trying to plant and grow anything. As a kid I remember loving to play with crawfish mud holes or catching tadpoles. I had no problem getting a little dirty, but mention planting anything and I was out.

I've recently ventured into planting herbs for the summertime and am reminded why I never garden. I am terribly impatient. Gardeners who spend hours and days and months cultivating soil and taking special care their plants amaze me. I on the other hand want to see instant fruit. As soon as the seeds are in the soil I get so excited about the potential growth that will soon follow. As if to will my little herbs to grow faster, I lovingly drown the poor seeds with water and sometimes kill the little plant before it has time to nurture and grow to its full potential.

The scene reminds me all too often of maturing in godliness. Seeds are full of potential, equipped with everything they need in their DNA to flourish and grow. Yet, growth takes time and intention. It isn't an overnight process. The soil must be taken care of, the water poured out, the sun lavished. It takes time and intentionality to grow, for roots to stretch deep into the soil and lace together in strength.

Similarly, growing in godliness takes time and intentionality. No one trips and stumbles into godliness. It is a process. Scripture tells us that as new creations God has given us everything we need to grow in Him, but it does not happen overnight. Organic growth in Christ takes time; it takes intentionality when we don’t feel like growing in obedience. It means cultivating discipline to obedience to Scripture and ever gazing upon the Son who so richly lavishes His blessings upon us. Don’t lose heart. Don’t give up or get impatient as I do. Grow. Let your roots reach deep into Scriptures and strengthen in the truth of the Gospel. Be satisfied and delighted in Him alone and let your worship pour forth in thanksgiving.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”  Colossians 2:6-7

Lessons of the Journey: God's Great Work in the Heart of South Sudan

     O that I could live always as under His eye, and feel the sense of His immediate presence, this is Life and all besides this is death to my Soul"- William Carey

Live. When I think of my time in South Sudan and the amazing journey that the Savior has led me on thus far, this is the one word that comes to mind. Live. Live freely, vibrantly, and purposefully. Live with boldness, wisdom, discernment, and in loving obedience to our great God because as Carey once said, life is continually living under the eye of our Savior and feeling the sense of His immediate presence.

While in South Sudan I continually felt the sense of His presence. Before leaving, my pastor, Larry, told me that sometimes God uses short term mission trips to teach us dependence on Him because everything else is stripped away. Oh, how sweet and satisfying it is to depend completely on Christ and stripped of all dependency on this world.

Our team partnered with local pastors of various areas and met with many South Sudanese families, sharing the gospel and encouraging them in their faith. I loved sitting outside many huts with the warm African sun beaming down and talking of the gospel for hours, sharing the hope within me, and answering many thought provoking questions about God and His Word. I also had the privilege of working at a women’s conference, praying over the needs of many and teaching others in discipleship and also loving on many orphaned children at the local orphanage.

God is doing amazing things in this part of Africa. He is worthy of all praise and glory! During our short few weeks our team saw many surrender their lives to Christ, follow in believer’s baptism, and begin walking in newness of life! How sweet it is to watch new brothers and sisters taste the freedom of forgiveness and new life in Christ.

     We encountered many false teachings and spiritual warfare, but our fight is not against flesh and blood. Satan is active in South Sudan, but our God is so much greater. He has raised up many strong and vibrant men of God as pastors, elders, and teachers in South Sudan. He has gifted several women to serve other women and teach them of raising Godly families as Christ teaches throughout scripture.

I could share 2 million of my favorite parts of this journey, but I will suffice to share one story with you, a story that is not my own. Her name is Harriet. My sweet friend, Harriet, was the first believer I met at our church site at Remadeyoung. Each day she followed our team, hearing our stories and worshipping with us. This is her testimony.

Harriet grew up brewing alcohol, which is a practice highly frowned upon in South Sudan. While an easy way to make money for women, brewing alcohol in this culture associates with drunk husbands who refuse to care for their families and occult practices. As a woman with little ways to make money, alcohol brewing seemed an easy solution.  Much like myself and others, Harriet depended on things of the world rather than running to her Savior and depending on Him. Harriet battled sickness for a long time. She visited witch doctors who left her with scars on her skin and sickness still in her body. One day Harriet heard the gospel message and gave her life to Christ. She immediately gave up brewing alcohol and abandoned the witchcraft and Satanic worship of the witch doctors. Harriet is alive! She attended the women’s conference with me and continues to learn more about her Savior.Throughout our days together I watched as she watched sheepishly on the sidelines as my team and I shared the gospel to speaking up, sharing her own story with others for the first time and encouraging them to be born again. Harriet’s sweet growth in discipleship, her hunger and love for her Savior, and her obedience to Christ both inspire and challenge me.

 

I ask that you pray for Harriet and for the many Harriet’s of the world. Pray that she would continue to grow in her faith, that she would always love and treasure Christ above anything else, and that she would strive to follow Christ with total abandon. 

Our God is good! He is a missional God and He is alive and working in the lives of so many around the world. Worship Him today in whatever language you speak, whatever your background. He is a God worthy of our worship, of our total devotion, and our complete surrender. Surrender to His call to live missionally wherever you may be. Share the gospel, the love and hope within you and when you do, remember my friend Harriet and how God uses the least of these, the poor, the broken, the orphaned to build His kingdom. Join me as we celebrate life, abundant life always under the eye of our Great God and reveling in His presence always.

Praying for South Sudan

It’s really almost here!! I can’t believe that in only one week from today I will be somewhere over the Atlantic headed to South Sudan. After months of training, planning, and preparation, the time is almost come for me to meet Africa for the first time and find my heart changed forever.

It seems like only last week when the Lord continued to press this trip and these people on my heart. I remember asking myself last fall as I walked into a chapel service at SEBTS one morning if I would ever walk in and not see the trip info to South Sudan flash across the screen and immediately feel conviction.  I needed to be on that plane when it left. After much prayer and realizing that conviction wasn’t going anywhere, knew not only would I be on that plane bound for Kajo Keji, but that my God would provide every need and somehow give me the resources to travel to South Sudan to share the only Story worth telling. Did He ever. He has provided every financial need in big ways and in times where no other explanation existed. Praise be to our Great King who provides for all needs even before we begin asking.

I am beyond excited to see how God uses our team in Kajo Keji to strengthen and encourage believers as well as reach the lost. Many of you have asked specifically how to pray for our team as we are working in South Sudan, so I thought I’d give you a few specific ways.

1. Pray for the hearts of the people we will engage with the gospel that their eyes may be opened to the Truth and they would come to know lasting and eternal joy with the Father

2. Pray for the transparency of our team, that others may clearly see the gospel in our lives and that we may articulate the Story well despite cultural and language barriers

3. Pray for clarity of mind and heart, that our lives be focused on Christ and not be distracted by lesser things that pull us away from honoring God through worshipful obedience to the Great Commission

“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way” 2 Cor 6:2b-4a

I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and sweet encouragement in the days ahead. Our team covets your prayers and interceding for us before the God of the nations. Now is the favorable time. Now is the day of salvation! May our great and glorious Savior receive all honor and praise as the nations cry out in worship to Him.  

Encouragement: Who Are You Celebrating?

Encouragement. It sounds like such a simple word, full of promise and possibilities. This word often floats into our minds as one of those happy words when someone points out the rainbow above our storm cloud or brings a small smile to our faces amidst chaos and confusion. Rarely do I meet a person who hates to be encouraged or lifted up, reminded that someone besides themselves was thinking of them that day.

Yet, for all of the wonderful feelings that come when others encourage us, we must also ask ourselves who it is we encourage on a daily basis. Who is it that I go out of my way to lift up, to bring a smile to his or her face? Who is it that I take the time to write a thoughtful note to or send a simple text message that I was thinking of her that day? Who is it I fall on my knees before the Father in intercessory prayer for God’s mercy, wisdom, and direction in his life during a difficult trial?

Today, I began celebrating my birthday week. Yes, birthday WEEK. One fun fact about me is I absolutely love birthdays. I try and take every chance I get to celebrate people, their lives, and remind myself how grateful I am they are part of my life. Each day of the week leading up to my birthday I try to do something a little different out of my usual day, to stop and simply celebrate where God has me in my life with amazing people He has put there. This week is filled with fun adventures and a few little splurges, but most of all it is spent in celebration of the wonderful circle of friends and family around me who “do life” with me in honesty, transparency, and godliness. These are the people I love remembering and celebrating as I look back over the last year. And, they are the very ones I want to encourage.

Encouragement is more than a happy thought or a smiley emoticon. It is a powerful means of celebration of one’s life, an empowering and sometimes vulnerable move of support, action, and genuine love. Be an encourager this week. Don’t wait. Go out of your way to lift up someone else. Celebrate others around you and praise our God and Father for the influence of that person in your life. Christ compels us to encourage others. May we live in worship of our great God and celebration and encouragement of those around us.

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:1-3

The Greatest News

Can two weeks really change a life? Fourteen days. It seems like such an insignificant time compared to the span of one’s life. Can such a short time really make any difference in the world?

In a few short weeks from now a rag tag team collected from all over the US, including several students from Southeastern Seminary in quiet North Carolina will join local believers in the newly developed country of South Sudan to share the gospel with men, women, and children who have never heard of our glorious Savior. We will board a plane and fly literally half way across the world to a politically unstable country full of confused peoples scarred by the wounds of war for years upon end.

“The war is finally over,” many will say. “Our freedom is returned to us.” Unfortunately, our team as well as most of you know that a far greater war is taking place in the heart of South Sudan. This spiritual war brings destruction, anguish, and slavery for all who reject the gospel of Christ. While South Sudan has broken away from the oppression of their northern brothers, the Father of lies and destruction continues to seek them out, polluting their worship and blinding their eyes to the One True Liberator.

Two weeks. Fourteen days.  Three hundred and thirty six hours. This is the time God has provided for us in South Sudan to proclaim the truth of the gospel, to share a greater purpose of the Creator for their lives, and to partner with the few local Christians to teach, proclaim the gospel, plant churches, make disciples, and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

How can you help? I’m so glad you asked!

One- PRAY! Pray hard. Pray purposefully. Pray with intention for the people we will come in contact with as well as our team members. Satan is active and at work to quench the Spirit, but our God is greater! He has already defeated Satan through the work of the cross and will not thwart the purposes of God to see His own come to salvation. The following link will lead you to a prayer calendar for the time our team is in South Sudan. I encourage you to take it and pray for us as we take the gospel to the nations. Prayer Calendar

Two- Share! If God so leads you, I pray that you would share this blog with others you know who will also pray for our team. Secondly, share Christ! What better time than this Easter season to share with others the greatness, glory, and power of the One True God and the salvation for all who believe? Share the gospel with others this week. Live the gospel. Proclaim to others the Good News of Christ and share the hope within you!  Also, I ask that you would consider sharing your support for me and my team as we raise support for this journey to South Sudan. While the journey is long and the way expensive, our God is greater than any material need we may have. I ask that you, along with your family or church family consider giving to this great journey of sending the gospel to the ends of the earth. If you’d like more information you can visit this link Give to South Sudan Team Here or contact me directly at kayla.stevens@live.com.

Can two weeks really change a life? I pray that it changes many for the gospel of Christ and the furtherance of His kingdom. I know it will change mine as I see the glory of God upon the hearts and lives of South Sudanese brothers and sisters as they trust Christ alone as Lord and Savior and experience true and eternal freedom. God is working in South Sudan and I cannot wait to join what He is already accomplishing there for His kingdom and glory.

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a Shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land.” Ezekiel 34:11-13

Glory and honor and praise be to our great God who seeks out those who are His from among the nations, rescues them, and brings them into the land where He dwells!

How do you say, "I love you?"

How do you say “I love you?” I know it may sound super sappy or cliché with Valentine’s Day around the corner, but just bare with me for a moment. This week I was talking to a friend of mine who hates Valentine’s Day, completely despises the holiday, and no its not because she’s single and bitter. She’s married to a wonderful Godly man and it’s so sweet to watch their love for one another grow. The pure motivation behind her dislike stems from a day when people feel obligated to tell one another in different ways how much they mean to one another.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not hating on Valentine’s Day. I actually love setting aside a day to tell the people who matter most in your life how much you love and appreciate them. However, her comment has been rolling around in my head lately, and I can’t help but wonder why we wait for one day a year to be super thoughtful, romantic, and just love others. Shouldn’t that be our mantra every day? Especially for a disciple of Christ?

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

So I ask again, how do you say, "I love you?" Is it with a romantic dinner and flowers one night a year, or graciously forgiving one another when words are not as flowery as a dozen red roses? Is it with a card or phone call to a loved one on February 14 or falling on your face before God in the middle of the night for that lost loved one? Do you say I love you with a compassionate heart for orphans or do you take the gospel to those orphans and introduce them to the same Father you have, adopted by grace? Love deeply, dear friends. Love when it is costly. Love often. Love because you have first been loved!