Kip McKean (left) tells Chris Broom to “preach the Word.”

A Report from the 2006 World Missions Jubilee in Portland, Oregon

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”
Philippians 1:21-26

Here, Paul explains that there is only one thing that could keep him from wanting to depart from this world and be with Christ which is “better by far.” Paul was needed by the disciples so that their faith and joy in Christ would overflow. We of the Chicago International Christian Church want to thank Kip and Elena McKean and the Portland International Church of Christ for their fruitful labor. Through our being with you last weekend, our faith and joy are overflowing on account of you! There were three things that made this year’s jubilee Heaven on Earth for me.

1. DEVOTED RELATIONSHIPS: TRUE UNITY!
We were greeted at the airport by Kip Mckean and a merry band of disciples. They made us feel so loved from the moment we saw them. My son Austin was in dire need of some Chinese food, so Kip treated him to his heart’s desire as the rest of us got the luggage. Austin was so encouraged by the food and the young “fired up” brothers that greeted us, that he immediately asked, “Dad, can I come to next year’s jubilee?” Other highlights for him included bonding with David Gonzales and his first experience stage-diving at the concert on Saturday night!

There was such a sense of true unity at this year’s jubilee: a unity that only comes when each person is totally committed to God and His mission for us on this earth. It was so refreshing to be with a growing group of men and women who have no reservations with one another because they are willing to speak the truth in love. The McKeans took us out for lunch and discipling time on Wednesday. It was awesome to spend time talking, dreaming and getting help in our life, marriage and ministry. Theresa and I also enjoyed some great time with the brothers and sisters from Central New York (CNY). We are so proud of Andrew and Patrique Smellie. They are our heart. We were also very encouraged by the growth and continued partnership with Chris and Kerri-Sue Adams and Mike and Pam O’Donnell who have stepped up to help lead in CNY on a level they never have before. Our time with couples like Matt and Helen Sullivan of Phoenix, Victor and Sonia Gonzales who lead the Latino ministry in Portland and the Portland campus ministry leaders DJ and Casey Comisford, along with Vic Jr., Thomas Gonzales, Michael Williamson, Jay Hernandez, Buzz Banadaga and so many others refreshed our spirits as well. We love working with them for the glory of our God.

2. INCREDIBLE PREACHING: THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT!
I love great movies and I love a great concert, but there is nothing in this world like great preaching from God’s word. The weekend was filled with it. Make sure you go to www.upsidedown21.org and listen to all the classes and sermons. It is so incredible to have lessons from God’s word that are delivered with deep conviction right at our fingertips. It’s so great to see the internet being used to get out the life-giving message. This was a “hot” time in Portland because of the fiery sermons that were delivered by people whose lives back up what they are saying.

3. COMPELLING VISION: THIS WILL MEAN FRUITFUL LABOR FOR ME!
On Sunday morning, we sang a song with lyrics by Steve Johnson entitled “I Hear God Singing to Me.” I was brought to tears as we sang the words: “Gather us and start a movement. Scatter us we scatter seeds. Planting Christ in every nation as out great crusade succeeds. Criticize us we grow stronger. Kill us and for sure we win, for our battle isn’t earthly and our souls will never end.” It is so easy to lose our vision and our focus in this world. In the parable of the sower, Jesus warns us that the worries of this world, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for other things choke us and makes us unfruitful. I have been caught in this trap and I have seen so many others fall for Satan’s schemes so that we are not bearing fruit to God either in our characters or in the multiplication of disciples. Without vision the people perish. In Philippians 1, Paul said, “if I am to go on living in the body, THIS WILL MEAN fruitful labor for me.” That is what compelled Theresa and I to move to Chicago.

Rosalyn Copeling (center) with the church just after her baptism

It was so encouraging on Sunday, August 13th, as Rosalyn Copeling was baptized immediately after church. Pam Boea shared that as challenging as it had been to move her family to Chicago, she would do it all again just to see Rosalyn forgiven of her sins.

Theresa Valentino was then baptized at the North Riverside Bible Talk on Tuesday night, just as our plane was about to land in Oregon. At her baptism, others were already saying, “I’m next to be baptized!”

Newly baptized Theresa Valentino (center) with Denise Chiappetta (left) and Kama Parlour (right)

When our vision is clear, I believe we will make the sacrifices necessary to help our hurting world. If Jesus were here, we know how he would be living. If Paul were here, he would he involved in fruitful labor. Pat Gemple shared about Kip and Elena on Saturday. What she said was truly inspirational. She shared that in twenty some odd years, she has never known a day that the McKeans did not wake up, dedicate their lives to God through prayer and get about his business doing the very best they could. That is a vision every man and woman can strive to imitate as we work together to evangelize the world.

Chris Broom

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