John,

I saw the following description of an "affinity" church at Salem Fields Community Church (which is "affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene"). Isn't it great to know that they are thinking of those of us with a "traditional mindset and attitude."

“Vintage” – Will offer live/video messages with worship and celebration deep in the traditions of the church, bridging together the ancient with the new, targeting families and individuals with a traditional mindset and attitude.
(From www.salemfields.com)

You just cannot even make things up to top this.

Grace and Peace,
Scott

It's disheartening to know there are pastors out there preaching against churches who are going where God has called them to go. As a member of a so called affinity church (Salem Fields Community Church), I have seen first hand the effects that these churches are having on people. I'm sure the thousands of people who have found Jesus in these churches may have different sentiments than the blantant sarcasm and disparaging remarks that have been made against your brothers and sisters in Christ. It's too bad we can't all be in this together.

Jodi:

What does it mean to "find Jesus"? Doesn't God find us in Christ by the Spirit? This is the problem -- Jesus is commidified like a bargain found at a garage sale that has been aimed at a particular consumeristic niche.

To argue for a market effectiveness as a measure of faithfulness of a church's witness is to commidify God. It is a grand old evangelical tradition, going back to the Journals of George Whitefield. If people were to confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God has raised him from the dead, they would find a profound unity with me and Scott.

It might be good for you to visit my posts on "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism" to understand that these are not sarcastic thoughts, but crucial for the ongoing formation and witness of the body of Christ in the world.

Have a glorious Feast of the Nativity! Is this Salem Fields Community Church having services on Sunday morning?

Peace,
Pastor John

Hallow Pastor,
My names are Pastor Isaac Mwagi preaching in Naivasha Kenya .
I greet you in the precious name of Jesus?
Please could you be having or knowing somebody who could be willing to do some mission work here in Kenya?And remember we still need your prayers in Kenya when we are in a such serious political situation.Please respond in Jesus mighty name and God will always bless you.
PASTOR ISAAC MWAGI-kenya

Dear Brian Stelter -

Warmest greetings in the name precious name of our lord Jesus Christ from Nairobi .

I am very glad to for having this opportunity to write to you. My name is Ev.Mrs Alphonsine Uwingabiye and I am born again Christian, and I am refugee from Rwanda/window but I am living here Kenya since 1994 and Personally I am amongst the survivors of 1994 Rwandese genocide. I fled after the outbreak of civil war started in my natal country ( Rwanda . And for God so loved the world and gave His begotten son, so that whosoever believed in him shall not perish but have eternal life. I survived the Rwanda war in 1994. And to me that was a great thing that the Lord had done to me. I don't know how else I can pay Him back. I have a calling to serve Him fully with all my heart. I am working very hard to survive, I have not received any assistance from anywhere even the UNHCR for refugees and even government of Kenya , I lost my parents, brothers, sisters and relatives during civil war. Beside I have 2 daughters and I lost my husband during road accident and I speak French and
English.

Last two weeks I send you a letter through postal address requesting for assistance so that I can be able to continue my studies in our christian university called Daystar University Nairobi kenya.

I have a pressing problem that I would kindly request you to help me to continue my studies at Daystar University in Bachelor degree level - Community Development and minor in Peace studies. I have an admission but I do not have funds to pay my fees myself.

I am an intelligent "A" student, born and raised in a very poor family of seven children. Despite my siblings being bright non of them has had an opportunity to pursue college education apart from me through the aid of well wishers, loans and people of good will, the rest are school drop-outs owing to financial constraints.

I realize that Education is success in life: The only real way to support myself and my siblings with education, I also want to be a blessing to others, so I have chosen my field of study carefully. As you know Africa "...We have so many young people who need education here but we do not have resources, Unlike other parts of the world where it is available for everybody, education here is still for the lucky few.. " I have knowledge and ability to study but I am hindered by financial constraints !

Daystar is currently the only accredited evangelical Christian, liberal arts college in all of Black, English-speaking Africa . It is recognized by Christian leaders around the world as having a strategic role in educating those who will shape the lives of both the church and society across the continent.

BUT I would like to clarify my request in an open way so that you can understand very well my needs. Daystar University charges 150,000 Ksh per semester and it has 2 semesters per year and the whole programme requires 4 years.

About scholarship at daystar Univeristy : I had an arrangement and very well planned on how to cater for my fees in Daystar University through my sponsor. However, no matter how we plan as humans beings the devil also has his plans which are not for good. Then 1 month before I joined Daystar University I lost my sponsor. But I did not give up; I had to persevere so that I can be able to achieve my goals which I have set in life. Then in the beginning of this August semester I talked with Daystar Financial Aid administrators ( Mrs Phyllis Mutua ) she told me normally Daystar University do not grant scholarship in first year. Anyone who need any assistance ( work study scholarship ) from their institution must to use his/her own resources to pay first year academic and then apply for assistance in the second year. That is why I am looking assistance for one academic and then apply a scholarship when I am a student there, that is the criteria for getting a scholarship from
Daystar University .

You know sometimes God can create way where there is no way, as I email you I have a promise from a good Samaritan who has promised to pay a half of the amount required. But he gave me a condition that when I get someone who is willing to give me the other half required, he will give me the half that he has promised. The university payment policy allows sponsors, guardian and parents for the payment in monthly installments but on condition that one should have paid fully before the exams commence. In the meantime another in take is 8th January 2008 .

It is my prayers to go back home after when I am through with my education and take my talent at Rwanda . Currently pursuing Bachelor of commerce and Peace Studies at Daystar, I have a dream of becoming an Ambassador for peace in my continent ( Africa ). I also have a passion for people and communities which I want to work with hand in hand to bring about change and Transformation in our societies. I want to be a humanitarian, working for the sake of mankind in order that I may be able to improve their lives preserve peace an justice.

Kindly , I humbly request you to kindly assist me with the remaining amount which is equivalent to the same amount mentioned above. With the acquired education I will be able to get a promising job which will help me to assist my younger siblings in future because in Africa education is power and therefore a key to getting a good job.

Also if is possible, you can introduce me to other well wishes who are able to assist me to get a scholarship around your Christian community , church and friends and also institutions that can support me to achieve my intended goals in life. I am a young lady of great faith. Continue to pray for me not to loose hope in life because one day God will answer my prayers.

I pray that God will touch your heart so that you can an important contribution towards helping me financially. Also know that your generous contribution will reach me safely through any of the above means.

IN KENYA : Because of this distance, if you want to verify my request or stories I mentioned to you above you can contact Daystar Financial Aid administrators ( Mrs Phyllis Mutua"
In USA you can contact Daystar U.S.office

Daystar U.S.
5701 Normandale Road #325
Edina , MN 55424
Email: info@DaystarUS.org
phone: 952-928-2550
USA

With the desire to be empowered in higher education in order to be competent in the job-market and with the motivation to improve the standard of living of that of my family, not to mention, contributing to the well being of our society and our economy as a whole, i appeal for your assistance. It is my prayer that you will reach a Godly sent Decision that of Scholarship.

Currently, I am a young Lady serving the Lord and I believe its only Him who has the power to decide one's destiny and as I believe that before God all things are men are equal and the love share with man. I fee there is no limiting of serving Him. That's the reason I wrote to you, nobody introduced neither referred me apart from God.

Certainly, to be able to achieve my goals, as you know Africa needs more Ministers and I know that I will do well as an ordained Minister in family ministry, social ministry, and evangelical works. I hope that I will connect my ministry to the field of education, as well. Women has no say in Africa society and so many research from around the world has shown that gender inequality tends to slow economic growth and make the rise from poverty more difficulty. My aim idea after graduation I want to fight against this issue for gender inequality.

My goals when I finish my degree course are to get a job and help my family and my community to get out of poverty, be a missionary and to help my children to educate and also to help my community to take care of many children from Rwanda who are orphans.

I hope through your prayers and your financial assistance I will be able to complete my studies and hence I will bring forth fruits to be enjoyed by whole society. Also to be a social minister who can be able to equip a society with knowledge and skills acquired from the university to transform the society.

Looking forward for your most favorable reply and God bless you,
Sincerely in Christ,

Mrs Alphonsine Uwingabiye
Refugee from Rwanda in Kenya