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Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It’s on the Wrong Side of Power, by David E. Fitch

| | 3 min read

Summary by Rick Bergen. May 15, 2025 Power shapes our world. It can be used to build up or to tear down, to serve or to control. In Reckoning with Power, David E. Fitch challenges how the church has understood power, often experienced as something other than reflecting the servant leadership of Christ. He calls … Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It’s on the Wrong Side of Power, by David E. Fitch

Cristovál

| | 2 min read

A multi-day church event isn’t just about fun and fellowship; it’s about building a culture of hope, breaking generational cycles, and planting seeds of faith in places often overlooked. When the Church invests deeply, entire communities may change—one soul, one family, and one neighborhood at a time. CristoválAll our churches use the national Carnival holiday … Cristovál

Cristovál in Marabá

| | 1 min read

Deanna and I stayed in Marabá for Cristovál this year to host guests. Brazilians love cake, and Deanna made enough every day for every participant and staff member to get a piece every day.The large group was split into several teams, each wearing different colored shirts. Winning wasn’t about individual strength—it was about teamwork. Everyone had to complete … Cristovál in Marabá

Marabá Church

| | 2 min read

Clyde and Kelsie came from Oregon as guest speakers for Cristovál Youth. It’s no small trip—hours of driving, days of flying, and a final 12-hour bus ride with heavy luggage. Nate and Hannah, two of their adult children, came along too. It’s expensive, exhausting, and sacrificial. May God bless them many times over.But the reward is enormous … Marabá Church

The Unplanned Journey

| | 7 min read

How God Leads Through Detours and Delays We like to think we know how God should work in our life and in our people’s lives. We assume God wants us to map out best choices, right priorities, and logical steps. But time and time again, I’ve learned that God’s path is frequently unpredictable—and it often … The Unplanned Journey

Go Down to Go Up

| | 2 min read

A Dream I had the following dream in January 2025: In a bustling Asian metropolis, I found myself leading a group of twenty friends on an uncertain venture. We wandered the streets, unable to find an elevator to ascend a towering high-rise. Determined, we navigated through hidden maintenance corridors, and occasionally, strange beasts blocked our … Go Down to Go Up

Home in Marabá

| | 1 min read

I can’t remember the last time we were welcomed home like this in Marabá. Normally, we just find our car waiting at the airport, quietly load up our bags, and ease back into our routines. But this time was different. Eliel and Aline met us at the airport. We were completely surprised by a welcome … Home in Marabá

Resilient Faith: Where to Take a Stand

| | 1 min read

This week, let us celebrate the unwavering strength of staying true to our Christian values, no matter the resistance we face, draw inspiration from the global missions conference in Texas, where Church planting is still considered the best way to transform communities, be encouraged by the growth of churches in Brazil, and be amazed at … Resilient Faith: Where to Take a Stand

Where to Take a Stand

| | 2 min read

King David’s story is incredible, rising from an unknown shepherd boy to a legendary king in the Old Testament. Look what David discovered when he found the Garden of Eden in His circumstances. Despite being betrayed by his friends, David didn’t quit or try for shortcuts to God’s plan for his life. Even when Saul, who he … Where to Take a Stand