The Thursday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

There is power in unity and if you were here for the ROC service, I think you saw it and felt it firsthand.  Regardless of what the make-up of a church, every single Bible-based one has something in common that transcends anything that may be different— faith in Jesus Christ!

Having four churches together for services at Lakeshore last Sunday reminded me of this once again.  There is not only a powerful unity in our diversity, there’s actually a beauty in it too.  And that’s why heaven will be a beautifully diverse place, according to Revelation 7:9:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

Thanks for being such a great congregation in the way you showed so much love to all the people and pastors of our guest churches.  They were so impressed by your openness and welcoming spirit.  And so was God!

Have a great Labor Day weekend and hope you’ll be here on Sunday for the conclusion to our Emotional IQ series.

Vince

SUPPORTING THE RESCUE OF PEOPLE FROM AFGHANISTAN

Two Sundays ago, we shared how the evacuation of Americans and friendly Afghans who helped our country was not going well, and how American veterans like Chad Robichaux (who served there and has been at Lakeshore twice) went there to rescue people covertly at the risk of his own life.  Some people made donations to his ministry that day, and we pledged to give $2,000 to his ministry (from your giving to Making Waves 2021).  Since then, others have given. If you believe in his efforts and want to support them, you can donate HERE.

And get this: On August 28, Chad texted me that he and his team had rescued an astounding 8,911 people out of Afghanistan that our government would have left behind.  Thank you Chad for your service (again) to our country.

HURRICANE IDA

The hurricane that hit the gulf south and New Orleans on August 29 (16 years to the day that Katrina hit) has caused massive damage to the region.  Many of you know that I have family in the NOLA area and they say that power may be out for up to a month!  Let’s pray for this region.  We will be looking at making a donation to the relief efforts (again, from Making Waves 2021) and will keep you posted.

Lakeshore friends—

This Sunday is going to be one of the best Sundays of the year and I hope you will be here for it.  Yes, technically, I know that every Sunday is equally great but what makes this Sunday great is that we will hold our 15^th annual ROC service.  It’s our opportunity to be together with three other churches with different ethnic make-ups and celebrate our unity as one race, the human race.  I believe that the church is the only place that can truly model a whole-person unity regardless of any physical differences we may have, because we have a spiritual unity through Jesus Christ that no other group or organization has.

We may worship with different music styles, prayer styles, and even preaching styles, but we all do so biblically and with our focus on Jesus.

Every year, people share how this service has played a role in helping them better love people who look different than them and appreciate God more deeply for the beauty He has created in our diversity.

So I hope you’ll be here on Sunday for either the 9am or 11am service to enjoy what God will do on this great Sunday.

Last Sunday, I shared how the tragic situation in Afghanistan and our pull out from the country has left thousands of American citizens behind, along with vulnerable Afghans who helped our military during their time there with translation and intelligence.  Our great friend, Chad Robichaux, who has been at Lakeshore twice and served in the Middle East, is there now helping to evacuate and rescue these people who are in real danger.

In the team's first full day there, his ministry was able to get 924 people out (50% kids, 25% women, 25% men). As of the last update, there have been close to 1500 people successfully rescued, with a plan of 500 - 1000 a day moving forward for the next 12 days.

He has asked for our prayers.  Will you pray for him?

He has also asked us to consider helping him financially.  Because of so many generous people who have given above and beyond their tithe, we will be making a gift from the surplus in the Making Waves ’21 fund.  But, as I shared last Sunday, if you would like to help their efforts by making a donation (like some of you did last Sunday), you can contribute by going here and choosing "Chad Robichaux Afghan Rescue Project."

Warmly,
Vince

Lakeshore friends—

On Monday, the staff went downtown to the corner of Main Street and Clinton Avenue to hand out water to everyone we saw for about an hour and a half as part of our love week project.  What did we see?

-People who mostly received us well and appreciated the no-strings-attached gift.
-People who really need a lot of love and encouragement.
-People who thanked God and told us that God is good.
-People who looked like they were not doing well, at least financially, and likely in other ways.

A number of years ago, a friend said, “You have never locked eyes with a person who did not matter to God,” and I believe that.  Our goal was simply to show people through our simple acts that they mattered to God.

Every day, every Sunday, we get a chance to do the same thing.  We can help people see that they matter to God, and in turn help them put their faith in Him through Jesus.  This is something that I was reminded of again this past Monday.

I hope you’ll help someone know that they matter to God, and that they matter to you too.

Warmly,
Vince