“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants, nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

In the first century, the gospel was proclaimed to all nations through the planting of churches in the most influential of cities. (Colossians 1:6, 23) If we as God’s modern day movement are to evangelize the nations in our generation, then we too must plant churches in the most influential cities of the world – thus The Crown of Thorns Project. This requires the tireless training of preachers and women ministry leaders, as well as the finances to support their efforts for the Lord. Therefore, on November 20, 2011, the Central Leadership Council is calling every member in every SoldOut Movement congregation to give AT LEAST 4X THEIR WEEKLY CONTRIBUTION PLEDGE for a Thanksgiving Missions Contribution.

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What It Means to Acknowledge that Jesus Is the Son of God Article by Korban Light, 2011

During one of my daily times studying the Bible and praying, I was reading one of my favorite books: the book of 1st John. In 1st John 4:1-4, I came across a question I had always had; what does it really mean to acknowledge Jesus? All sorts of people appear to make some sort of acknowledgement about Jesus, yet “the road is narrow, and only a few find it.” There must be something deeper to apply here. Therefore, I searched the scriptures for answers, and here is what I found.

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Here in Chicago on June 11, 2011, Mike and Brittany Underhill were married in a “Kingdom Wedding!” Around God’s movement, disciples are excited not only about that great union, but also about the following guest editorial by Blaise & Patricia Feumba.

The Glory Of The Second Temple
“‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Haggai 2:9

Blaise & Patricia Feumba with their three children!

On May 10, 2011, I, Blaise Feumba, wrote the following email to my dear brother Kip McKean.

Dear Kip,
I remembered those 10 minutes I spent with you in Seattle [at the 2005 ICOC Leadership Conference] wanting to understand what was going on in our family of churches at that moment. You told me you were going to start another movement compelled by the Spirit of God. At that point, I wasn’t sure that was the best thing to do, but after the churches in French Africa went through the same Satanic rebellion in 2007, I understood what you meant in that room at the Seattle Conference. Almost three years have passed since I left the ICOC. Most of what has been said about you and Elena has been said about Patricia and me in a very smaller scale. But the pain and the sufferings we have been through were used by the Lord to draw us closer to His heart through countless nights of tears and grief in His purifying hands.

We survived by God’s grace and kept preaching the gospel for which I have been called. From a church [which I once led] of over 2,000 members in Abidjan, [Ivory Coast], a band of about 20 courageous disciples followed Patricia and me for the start of a new planting. We were all resolved to follow the clouds and not the crowds convinced that the church we have given our youth for was dead with politics and deceit. This was the new game played by the shepherds in the ICOC for power and influence. Without any support from men, we grew from 20 to over a hundred in two years, as well as sending out a new planting to Hiré, Ivory Coast, which now numbers 30 disciples.

I want to use this time to let you know that I am sorry for the letter I have signed against you in 2005, because I was not courageous enough to stand against the crowds. I did this against my conscience, but of this I do not blame anyone other than myself. Please forgive me brother because I have sinned against the Lord with a band of brothers who wanted to kill their “father” to take his position. We did not learn from David who understood that God hated rebellion against Saul no matter how badly Saul had treated him. I have no hatred in my heart against my former friends. In fact, I have resolved to pray for them every day begging the Lord to draw them back to once again be close to His heart.

The Lord has been gracious to my family, as recently He snatched us out of the fire of civil war in Ivory Coast, and brought us to France, our country of citizenship where we are resolved to preach the gospel. At this time, I can’t think of another captain I would like to pursue this with. I have watched you over the past three years. Your deeds speak of God’s mighty hand on you. No matter what you have been through you are still standing stronger than ever for Jesus and for His mission to see this lost world evangelize in one generation. You have proven yourself worthy to be followed as you follow Christ. Here am I in France with a burning desire to save as many souls as possible. I need you in my life. Our love to Elena.

Blaise & Patricia Feumba

After visiting the City of Angels International Christian Church on May 20-27, 2011, and then fellowshipping with the London International Christian Church from May 28-31, 2011, we – motivated only by the honor of our God – wrote the following article on The Glory Of The Second Temple.

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(Editor’s Note: Cory is a very dear and long-time friend. In the 1990’s, he served the Lord as the World Sector Leader for the Middle East in the Central Leadership of the International Churches of Christ, known as the “ICOC.” He was also the “planter” of the Cross & Switchblade Ministry centered in the rough neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles. This cutting-edge ministry was focused on reaching out to the poor, the fatherless, gang members, drug dealers and prostitutes. It later evolved into the South Central Region of the LA International Church of Christ. Today, let us warmly welcome this valiant brother into the City of Angels Church family!–Kip McKean)

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” Revelation 2:4-5

Sunday October 17, 2010 – my first service at the City of Angels International Christian Church – can be summed up in one sentence: “This is the church that I was baptized in!” I was initially invited by Lu Jack Martinez two weeks earlier, and to be honest, there was a hesitation in my heart because I had heard so many negatives. Yet for the past 10 years, I have been searching for what initially drew me to become a disciple of Christ. During this time, I have attended some 40 former ICOC congregations – 13 of which splintered from the original Atlanta ICOC Church – and perhaps 50 denominational churches. However, the Spirit put on my heart to be a Berean and to “check it out” for myself. (Acts 17:11)

As I walked into the Downtown LA Sheraton early for church that fateful Sunday morning, I heard and felt “the buzz” of fellowship… And I remembered. I sat up front and everyone lifted their voices to praise God… And I remembered. The preaching was inspirational, but uncompromising of the Scriptures and everyone was taking notes… And I remembered. The baptisms at the end of service brought me to tears… And I remembered. At the last “Amen,” no one bolted for Burger King… And I remembered. I remembered my first time visiting a discipling ministry in Chicago in 1990. I remembered my “first love” so strong at baptism on November 14, 1990. And then, I remembered “the height from which [I had] fallen.”

I was raised Muslim by my mom, who has always been an upward call to me. My grandparents were a mix of Catholic and Baptist, while my father was a Jehovah’s Witness. You could say that I was kind of a “religious mutt.” Since I was baptized in the Baptist Church at 17, throughout my college years at the University of Wisconsin, into my NBA days with the Seattle Supersonics, as well as in my continued pro-ball career in Turkey and the Philippines, I was “religious.” Bill & Lisa Hamilton – who now lead the Charlotte International Christian Church – met my wife Megan, who was a model, and me. We studied the Scriptures with them as well as with John & Emma Causey and were called out of the religious world and into the simple, righteous life of a disciple. We were then baptized in a horse trough, thus humbly entering the glorious Kingdom of God!

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Raja and Debs, who lead the church in India, will be visiting the Chicago church in May 2010. Please enjoy the following good news from their ministry and consider donating to our world missions collection April 25th, which will support the church in India.

Thomas, a disciple from our sister church in India, had decided to go on a fast and it was the second day of his fasting, which was a Saturday. He took another brother, Johnson, along with him to evangelize. They decided not to go to the usual place but to go to a park nearby. As they entered the park, they saw a guy jogging. They stopped him and invited him to the church. He said ”I’m perfect, I’m from the RSS and I’m not interested,” and he continued to jog. The RSS is a Hindu organization, which is strongly against Christianity and conversions.

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