Since my trip to Ireland in 2014 I have had a stronger desire than ever before to reach the lost and grow in my faith, but not just while on a mission trip or at a conference, in every day life, right here in my own town.  God is raising up spiritual leaders in the Lansing area and it is our job/privileged to join them in their efforts to reach the lost.

Recently, I have come in contact with hundreds of college students who have been brought up in Christian families, but fall away as they move on in life or still call themselves Christian, but it is just a title and has no meaning to them. They'll say, "Yeah, I'm a Baptist", "I'm Catholic", "I went to ______ a denomination."  "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"-I Corinthians 1:13-14   What is the church?! The church of Christ is the people that make it up, people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and believe on Him. We must stand together to make an impact in our nation that so desperately needs God. Let's overlook some of the small things that make our denominations different and be followers of Christ together. 

I've been hit with the realization of how easy it is to grow apathetic in your faith when you aren't seeing people act on what they believe. If you're not seeing people saved and actively sharing your faith you can never understand fully what it means to be a follower of Christ. When there is no difference between you and non Christians, you're not losing a thing when you step away from church. If you just went because your family did, what will happen when you move out and don't have your mom to make sure you attend? We go to Church on Sundays to be built up, it isn't supposed to be the main part of the Christian walk, it is our training ground for every day life. When we begin to share our faith, we are faced with questions that force us to dig into God's word for answers.  Once you are out blessing people and serving the Lord, you want to do it more and suddenly your faith means much more than a denomination. 

What does it mean to be a follower of Christ? James 2:19 says: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder."  Are you just a believer in Jesus or a follower of Him?  The life of Jesus is historically known to be true and as the Bible says, even the demons believe in God.  So, what is the difference in our knowledge of Jesus and historian's, or how is our belief different from the demons?  We are called to be the image of Christ and the means through which He reaches the lost. What a privileged to be a bearer of the Good News to our world! "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." 2 Corinthians 3:18

Together 2016

We believe: 

JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING

Our generation is the most cause-driven in history. But our causes are pulling us apart. Even religion doesn’t unite. We believe only Jesus can bring us together. July 16, 2016, is the day our generation will meet on the National Mall to come together around Jesus in unified prayer, worship, and a call for catalytic change. 

More information: http://reset2016.com/about-together2016/
Or: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/together-reset-2016-tickets-25181881686?aff=eac2

National Day of Prayer

When:
May 05, 2016 at 11am - 3pm

11 a.m. to Noon       Harp & Bowl Worship and Prayer
Noon to 1 p.m.         Observance
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.       Downtown Prayer Outreach
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.  Legislative Reception

Where: 
Michigan State Capitol Building
Michigan at Capitol Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
United States

Decision America Tour

In 2016, Franklin Graham Association will be holding prayer rallies in all 50 state capitals,challenging Christians across our land to boldly live out their faith and to pray fervently and faithfully for our nation - and proclaiming the Gospel that has the power to transform the human heart. It begins when we, as Christians, commit to prayer, standing firm on God's Word and living out our faith in every aspect of life. Will you join Franklin Graham? 
Informational Luncheon June 21st at South Lansing Christian Church, Lansing MI. Follow the Michigan Facebook Page for the updates and information.

I Love My City

 What: The purpose of I Love My City - Lansing is to seek the peace and prosperity of our great city! What would it look like to have every business, every neighborhood, and every church loving Lansing on a single day of the year? How our city could be impacted if once a year we all Labor For Our Neighbors together! The entire region is invited to serve and come to the free community concert. Be sure to invite your neighbors!

When: Sunday, April 24^th Service projects 10am-2pm (start times vary by project leader)

Sign up here: http://www.lovemycitylansing.org/r Your 

Azusa Now Live!

Right now there are around 120,000 people gathered in the Memorial Coliseum in  Los Angeles California praying, fasting, and worshiping God.  

If you'd like to watch this event live follow this link for details: http://www.god.tv/schedule?utm_medium=GODTVwebsite&utm_campaign=homepageHighlightLinks&utm_content=schedule

There are times which Scripture describes as "full" — periods of unusual ripeness for God to unleash His prophetic purpose across the earth.  Such days of faith and expectation often come during periods of crisis. For 15 years, amidst massive cultural decay, Lou Engle and TheCall have sought to proclaim the bold, uncompromising message of consecration to Jesus. Like John the Baptist, we have cried out, "Prepare the way of the Lord!"

Yet - the last statement of John was not "Prepare the way," but "Behold the Lamb!" If there was truly a John Movement, then a Jesus Movement is surely coming! Believing that decades of globe-spanning prayer have saturated the heavens, we will boldly ask God for the rain of revival on April 9th, 2016. We will consecrate an entire day — 15 hours — for the purpose of unity, miracles, healing, and the proclamation of the gospel. Our rally cry: Come, Holy Spirit! Instead of 120 in the Upper Room, we seek to gather as many as 120,000 in one place and one accord to simply exalt Jesus. And for inspiration, we turn to the most powerful expression of revival in modern times: the historic Azusa Street Revival of 1906.

If you would like to read more and watch videos about this event click here: http://www.azusanow2016.com/

When it isn't easy

If you are going through a dry place in your walk with the Lord, feel like you’re not good enough to share His love with others, aren’t ready yet to share the gospel, or it’s not “your gift”, you’ll just leave it to others, I want to tell you-press on! Read the Bible even when you don’t feel like you’re getting anything out of it, pray even when you don’t “feel the Holy Spirit”, worship with all you have. God will bless you with His presence and break these walls down.  The way I have come through the lowest points in my spiritual walk, is through sharing what I believe with others. Even as you’re questioning, you can tell others of your faith.  This will build you up and answer those questions that have been hidden deep in your heart, out of the sight of others, because you want to appear to be a “good Christian”.  Something someone said that totally changed the way I look at these questions we face as Christians was, “It’s good you’re questioning your faith, if you weren’t, you’d be content where you are, but if you question and seek answers from God, you’ll grow.”  As Christians we should never be content where we are in Christ.  Keep striving to become more Christ like every day! 

Lydia