This Sunday night is the Simple Church Alliance Christmas Celebration at Awesome Inc., downtown Lexington, Ky (Details HERE)! We hope you can join us from 6-8PM as we have invited students and families connected with Bridges International to join us. We will be able to connect with one another and share the story of Christmas through song and fellowship. Below is a note from Micah Lemaster who serves with Bridges about why he is especially excited to connect those they serve with simple church minded families and individuals…
My name is Micah LeMaster, and I run an organization called Bridges International at the University of Kentucky. We consist of a group of student leaders passionate about reaching international students for Christ, and we see partnerships with other ministries as the most effective and Biblical method of doing that. God has gifted Lexington, Kentucky with a wealth of incredible ministry leaders and movements, and I believe He has called us to be the connection point between them in order to fulfill the Great Commission here. Over the past few years, we have partnered with dozens of churches and ministries to help train, empower, and challenge Christians to share their faith. In the process, these partners have helped our international student population grow closer to the church, and many of students have heard the gospel and started discipleship relationships with Christian Americans. I’m so excited to begin a partnership with the Simple Church network to continue the kingdom vision.
Sometimes a traditional church model can make it hard for members to proactively engage in ministry outside the walls of their congregation. In addition, traditional church buildings and services can often be intimidating for international students to be invited to because of their cultural background. Because of this, we often encourage partners to make international friends by inviting them into their homes first and having faith conversations in a more intimate setting. For this reason, Simple Church is an excellent partner for this kind of ministry. Lastly, I think the model of house church is perfect for fostering a dynamic of discipleship and multiplication in students exploring or growing in their faith. Many students will not have any kind of large congregation to attend when returning home. Most of our friends from Asia will have to join or start a house church in order to worship and grow. Starting here with the same model is an amazing opportunity to prepare seekers and believers for Christian life outside of America.
In summary, I expect God to work in mighty ways through partnership with the Simple Church network, and I hope that many church members will be able to make international friends and start walking with them towards a relationship with Jesus!