Wednesday, July 28, 2010

URBAN

Two things here tonight ...

I just returned from Oakland, California, where I was visiting the School of Urban Ministry there. SUM is founded and led by Chancellor George Neau and trains young men and women who are strictly called into ministry by partnering them with visionary leaders currently pastoring churches and pouring into them over three years, ultimately educating them with a fully accredited Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. During this three years, students are involved in 8 hours of Practicum per week - constant, hands-on ministry to go alongside their classroom studies. All of this is done at about a third of the cost of traditional Bible College & University costs. It was an exciting couple of days listening to the presentations by SUM. We are praying to find out if God would want KFA to host a school on our own campus.

The second part of my blog tonight is just a 'smiler' on my part. I was blessed to sit beside two young boys aged 10 and 12 on the plane back from San Francisco International Airport. Four hours of them bumping into me with their arms AND feet --- watching them play soccer on their handheld devices and watch way-too-adult movies on their portable dvd players --- talking about the World Cup with them (they knew way more about it than me - go figure) --- passing drinks and straws and cups and snacks back and forth between them and the stewardess (I was sitting on the aisle and they kept asking for things) --- and --- count 'em ... getting up 11 times to let them go to the bathroom. Yes ... 11 times. Small bladders, evidently. But, it was the most fun four hours on a plane I've had in a while.

And be blessed.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi PK - when we went to New Orleans to clean up after Katrina with the youth group, we stayed at a SUM there. PJon has a contact there. Perhaps you already know that. Glad you enjoyed your four hour flight with the boys. :0)

Anonymous said...

I was wondering how you were right in SF and only stayed such a short time. Someday, you and Joelene should go. If you stick to the touristy areas and sights, you could do it in 3 days. For one night, Randy and I stayed in the most beautiful hotel I had ever been in called the Fairmont. It is very expensive, but it was worth the one night splurge.

Glad you enjoyed the plane ride...just wait till Elias is running around! I love playing with Jill...she's three. :)

PK's BLOG said...

YES, D + B:
New Orleans was where SUM originated, before it moved out to Oakland. Katrina nearly did them in, but God was faithful. There is a healthy chapter of SUM in Shreveport and West Monroe, Louisiana now, as well as 20 other places around the country.

Anonymous said...

PK-I think that some of the prayers spoken at the prayer meeting Sunday night were prophetic. I think KFA has been designed.. positioned..prepared to raise up full-time leaders..lots of them.-Cherlyn

PK's BLOG said...

CHERLYN:
Yes. It reinforces something that was given here at KFA years ago. We have referred to it at various times - usually we try to notify new members of it as well as refer to it in services from time to time - but a prophecy was given here years ago that we would be a FOUNTAINHEAD OF BLESSING. We have not stuck to that moniker just because the terminology dates us a bit, but the THEME of it we HAVE stuck to - which is the important thing. We have seen many many people go out into full time ministry over the years and we are blessed to be part of that effort.