Mike King

Sally Rymer on the news

A couple of months ago we featured a story on Sally Rymer in the YouthFront News.  Sally is 15 years old and is a YouthFront Teen Staffer.  She has launched a student movement for the purpose of stopping modern day slavery.  We are so proud of Sally.  Sally recently appeared on NBC news.  Watch the news story here.

Early wisdom from the church on how to deal with Charlatans

Last May I shared my frustration here with the Charlatans of the Prosperity Gospel movement and the examples I saw of their abuse during my trip to Africa.  Recently I have been curious about the content in the 1st Century Church Manual called the Didache that was probably written between 70 and 100 AD.  It is believed to have been connected to the Apostles of Jesus (and their disciples) either by direct and/or indirect influence. The Didache is mentioned by Eusebius (c. 324) as the Teachings of the Apostles following the books recognized as canonical.  The Didache describes practices and conduct of the emerging 1st Century Church. 

One section deals with Charismatists or Prophets who are traveling around with messages and agenda's for followers of Jesus.  The translation I was reading states that if a Charismatist claims they are speaking for God and says, "'Give me your money (or anything else)!' do not listen to him.  On the other hand, if he bids you give it to someone else who is in need, nobody should criticize him!"  Didache

SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLAN TO ME.  What do you think?

Not For Sale

This was a great weekend at Jacob's Well.  This morning my friend Ashley Cleveland spoke. We have been in the book of James for several weeks.  Ashley spoke from James 4:1-12 and did a great job.  Listen here.

Deth Im is a new pastor at Jacob's Well.  Deth, like so many at Jacob's Well has a commitment to work for Justice.  Deth organized a Not For Sale rally yesterday.  We held it yesterday at St. James United Methodist Church.  David Batstone is the author of the book Not For Sale and Instigator of the Not For Sale Campaign to end modern day slavery.  We had a great crowd, especially for a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon.  David is an excellent and passionate communicator.  The stories he told motivated the crowd to enlist in this campaign in meaningful ways.  Human exploitation is not just happening somewhere "over there."  Terrible examples of human trafficking is happening right here in our midwestern city.  This month in YouthFront News we will be featuring an article about a 15 year old teen staffer from YouthFront Camp who decided to organize her school to fight against the atrocities of human slavery.  We are strategically planning at Jacob's Well about mobilizing for the Not for Sale Campaign.  At YouthFront we are working on a plan to mobilize high school students to work for Justice.  I spoke with David about partnering with Not For Sale.  I believe adolescents want to embody the gospel they believe in.  They want to change the world.  I can't wait to see what comes out of this.

With Tim Keel and David Batstone.

Let justice roll

Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24

If you are in the Kansas City area check out Justice Jam sponsored by Church of the Resurrection and featuring the music of my friends Don and Lori Chaffer and Waterdeep.

Also,

Check out this coverage of Slavery in the Suburbs by CBS News on the issue of Human Trafficking in North America.  HT to Bob Carlton on this.