LK10: Ultimate Treasure Hunting

Dear LK10 Family,

Ultimate Treasure Hunting

One of our LK10 Values is that ministry (of all kinds) grows out of listening for the Lord's directions.  A great example of this is Ananias in Acts 9.  You know the story...

Saul (later Paul) was on his way to Damascus "breathing murderous threats against the Lord's disciples" (v. 1).  Just outside the city, a "light from heaven flashed around him", he fell to the ground, the Lord spoke to him and he lost his sight.  His friends had to lead him by hand into the city.  And, for the next three days he didn't eat or drink anything.

Meanwhile, in Damascus, there was a disciple names Ananias.  In a vision, he was given an assignment by God.  "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  In a vision, he (Saul) has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hand son him to restore his sight."  (v. 11)  You can read the rest of the story in Acts 9.

Two things I want to point out.  First, that God was working preveniently (before Ananias ever showed up) in Saul.  Second, that God communicated a specific assignment with lots of details to Ananias.  Talk about ministry growing out of listening!!!

Did you know that this same kind of thing is happening today?  In this video, Mina Millen and her friend, Athena Hultgren (San Jose, CA), share stories about specific assignments the Lord has been giving them and their children.  They call it "ultimate treasure hunting".  Click on the link, not the photo.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm9K_h3mnQc

Amazing opportunity for deeper training!

Forty five years ago, feeling called into the ministry, I moved to Pasadena, CA to begin studying at Fuller Seminary.  Although in some circles, Fuller was seen as an excellent graduate school, I slowly developed a conviction that this was no way to train men and women for ministry.  The classes were highly academic and theoretical with very little practical training or experience ("We don't do that at the seminary.  Get that in your local church.").  And, very little community.  (Again, "We don't do that at the seminary.  Get that in your local church.")  Those of you who know me will not be surprised that I made my complaints known.  But, I was just a "kid" so what did I know.

Fast forward 45 years.  And, now my good friend, Dr. Kent Smith, is pioneering a new approach to graduate level training that integrates learning with deep community and practical experience.  This training embraces all of the values and practices that we talk about in LK10!  Actually, Kent has been putting this into practice for the the last 10-12 years in Abilene, TX at Abilene Christian University.  What is new is that you don't have to go to Abilene to be part of this training!

More details about the MAGS (Master of Arts in Global Service) program in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlkkeUCz7j4  (Click on the link not the photo.)  For more information contact Kent at smithpk@acu.edu

Believe me when I say that, 45 years ago, I would have enrolled in this program in a heart beat!