It’s Obvious

Second Anniversary of the Sold-Out Discipling Movement!

By : Kip Mckean

“In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out – until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels.” Exodus 40: 36 – 38

Ron & Tracy Harding now lead the Portland International Christian Church!

Throughout the Bible, the presence of God among His people is obvious! Of the tenth and final plague “Moses said, ‘Every first born in Egypt will die… there will be loud wailing throughout Egypt… But among the Israelites [no one will die]. Then you will know the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’”God made the “distinction” between Egypt and Israel obvious! When the Israelites traveled through the desert, they were inspired to see the cloud of the Lord above the tabernacle and were surely comforted at night by the glow from the fire in the cloud. God’s presence – by day and by night – was obvious! God’s will – to stay or to go – was equally obvious! At the battle of Jericho, the walls fell when the Israelites marched around the walls for seven days and then blew their trumpets. God’s presence and power were obvious! Though few in comparison, Gideon’s 300 routed 135,000 Midianites! It was obvious, God was with His people. (more…)

 Good News From Distand Lands!

The following emails are only a few we have received the past few months from around the world. We are deeply grateful for the untold hours of service by our cyber-evangelists: Jeremy Ciaramella, Ron Harding, Rob Onekea and Andrew Smellie. We also greatly appreciate all of our web-deacons, who assist in language translation as well as building and maintaining UpSideDown21 (www.upsidedown21.org), the City of Angels Church webpages (www.caicc.net), and all of the congregational websites in the Sold-out Discipling Movement! KM

“Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.” Proverbs 25:25

Janice celebrates her baptism with disciples from the fired up East Region!

New Hampshire – I recently went on a business trip to Mumbai, India. I was baptized back in the old Opera House Days and have a strong fondness of those days of innocence for me. I fell away years later… However, I have never strayed from knowing the facts I learned when I first studied the Bible. I know where I am and I know that I cannot twist the Scripture to make it easier to be saved. I just haven’t had the heart for it. I met someone in Mumbai through my many trips there… However, this person expressed such a strong child-like love of Jesus, that it impacted me. Even though I have had absolutely no desire to have a relationship with God, I was compelled to share a faith I once had, rather than fulfill any personal desires. It was definitely not my doing. I didn’t even want to do it personally! I found the phone number of Anthony Siluvai, the church leader, on your website and brought this person to a service where I saw something striking… the same days of innocence I experienced in Boston back in 1984… No matter whether or not a true disciple has just emerged from the water, or has lived many years of struggle and joy, that innocence that we all too often lose, is there for the taking. I know it all centers around Jesus… Personally, I want to thank you for giving me many hours of wonderful teaching back in the Opera House and the old Garden. That foundation is there for a new house to be built. I owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Kip. (more…)

A “Portland Report” According to My Convictions
Guest Editorial: Chris Broom
Evangelist Chicago International Christian Church
by: Chris Broom

“Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, ‘You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’” Joshua 14:6-8

Chris Broom preaching the Word!
Here we see an incredible chapter in an epic story. Joshua and Caleb were two of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land. They found the land to be exceedingly good and yet 10 of the 12 most prominent leaders of the tribes of Israel, the vast majority, gave a faithless report. They did not believe that God would bring them victory and therefore led the Israelite community into grumbling against their leader Moses, and thus God Himself. (Numbers 14:2, 27, 36) Though in the minority, I write this article for the honor of God and for the defense of my friend and brother, Kip McKean and the Sold-out Discipling Movement. A few weeks ago, an article by Douglas Arthur featured on International Church of Christ (ICOC)”Hot News” brought up charges about Kip’s supposed slander, unwholesome talk and lack of repentance, which have led to a weakened church condition in Portland, Oregon. I have watched the Portland situation develop during the past 12 months, and would like to offer a different perspective “according to my convictions.” After all, “The first to present his case SEEMS right until another comes forward and questions (more…)