Staff Blog

Dr. Don Davis (Director of TUMI) and I traveled to Moody Bible Institute for Moody’s Urban Emphasis Week last week. World Impact has a great relationship with Moody as our President Keith Philips has spoken there many times and we have had staff and interns from Moody join our World Impact staff here in Wichita, including our director Daren Busenitz (Class of 1999) and Josh Somsel (Class of 2011).

Don spoke in three chapels to approximately 1,500 students. He quickly won over the students with his passion for Christ, his humor, and a challenge for them to give everything for the Lord. He was persistent throughout his talks that a love for Christ must be the foundation for missions. The energy of the students energized Don Davis and his talks to the students became more passionate as the week progressed.

Besides the chapel times, Don and I were in several classes and met with dozens of students. There is such a great legacy of missions at Moody and we were encouraged by the many students who have a deep love for Christ and are willing to make Him known in the cities.

Here is a quick video that summarizes our time at Moody.

The Lenten season is that forty-day period of the Church year which starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Saturday of Holy Week. It calls the faithful community to reflect on Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, and death. Following our Lord in his preparation for his Passion, we prepare ourselves on the way of the Cross for full obedience to God. The season of Lent is, therefore, as one commentator put it, a season of “preparation, accompaniment, and journey.”  As followers of Jesus of Nazareth, the church finds its life in his sacrifice on the Cross, his victory over evil, chaos, sin, and death, and his restoration of all things through his resurrection, his ascension, and soon return. – Rev. Dr. Don Davis

As followers of our Lord and Savior, it is natural that we would take seriously His path to the cross. Observing Him as He works His way toward Jerusalem, listening to the conversations He has along the way with hurting people, watching as He ministers and serves others and empowers His disciples to do the same.

In the rich history of the church, many have chosen to draw near to Christ in His lonely walk to the cross by giving up something. What a true privilege it is for us to think about what we can remove from our lives for the forty days of lent so that we might be ready to encounter Holy Week in all its tragedies, sorrows, and ultimate joy.

Might you consider what the Lord would have you fast from? If so, tell your pastor or a trusted friend what you wish to fast from to help keep you accountable. What an opportunity for us to join together with believers and churches around the world in this Lenten journey!

Our staff will begin posting about the ins and outs of church planting among the urban poor! Check back soon.