Asante! The Thanks is All Ours!

From November 11, 2012 through January 14, 2013 our Christ Church family was privileged to host the Asante Children’s Choir from Rwanda, Africa. The choir consisted of 18 beautiful children, many of them former orphans, ranging in age from 8 to16. They came to America to say, “Asante,” which means “Thank You” in Swahili.

During this two-month Midwest Tour the choir sang in 35 venues including churches, schools, shopping malls and a Harley Davidson dealership. They visited Como Zoo and the State Capitol. They went on rides at the Mall of America. They traveled from Minneapolis to St. Paul, from Willmar to Cambridge, from Monticello to Northfield. They were blessed with a total of $82,000 in offerings and 138 more children were sponsored in Rwanda at $35/month; a gift that provides healthcare, schooling, food, clothing and a future.

From the Sunday night we first picked them up at the airport until the Monday morning we said our goodbyes, their smiles and hugs, faith and prayers became a tangible expression of the universal love of God. The faces of these children radiated the joy of Jesus. Their special gifts of song, dance and drums inspired us, tired us, and brought tears to our eyes. We will never forget the amazing Christmas Eve services we celebrated together and little Furaha dancing into our hearts with his special rendition of “Joy to the World.”

About 20 Christ Church families took turns hosting the Asante children and chaperones in their homes for more than three weeks of the tour, some even longer. I’m so proud of them! They all made significant sacrifices in order to welcome these kids into their families and provide them with so many wonderful experiences. Countless others from Christ Church provided food, clothing and financial support totaling more than $8,000. Even so, every person would agree that they received far more than they gave!

These amazing children have now returned to their beloved Rwanda. Our thoughts and prayers go with them. They touched our lives and have reminded us again “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” To them, we say, “Asante!” May God continue to bless you all for the many gifts you have given us! The thanks is all ours!

Blessings,
Pastor Greg Pagh

Come Holy Spirit!

Colleen and I leave tomorrow for Honolulu, Hawaii, where we will participate in the Transform Our World Global Conference with Dr. Ed Silvoso, 67 speakers and workshop leaders and 1100 delegates from 25 nations!

This is the first international conference that Colleen has attended and I can’t tell you how excited I am that we can share this week together! My son, Matt, our daughter-in-law, Leah, and our good friends from Zylstra Harley Davidson, Mike and Amy Matter, will also be attending along with several others from the area. I again have the privilege of serving as Faculty Dean as part of the Executive Program Team.

The other night I shared a passage from Luke 11:9-13 with our Church Council. I’d like to pass it on to you and invite you to join in making it our prayer theme for this coming week. Jesus said:

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Jesus invites us to “ask, seek and knock!” And what Jesus say that our heavenly Father promise to give us? He gives us himself! He gives us the Holy Spirit!

What are you asking from God? What are you seeking to find? What doors would you like to see opened? I leave for this conference ready to serve others but also ready to receive all that God has for me, for my family, for Christ Church, for our region, state and nation! I’m asking the Lord for a lot! I’m seeking greater revelation! I’m not only knocking on doors; I want ‘em knocked down!

But here’s what God has spoken to my heart and this is where I invite you to join me. What I need the most, and may I suggest, what we all need the most, is more of the Holy Spirit! Praise God! This is exactly the gift our heavenly Father gives when we “ask, seek and knock.” He gives us more of himself!

Thank you for your prayer covering throughout the conference. Please make this your constant refrain; “Come, Holy Spirit! More of you! More of you!” We travel and represent you with deep affection, love and prayers!

Blessings in Jesus,
Pastor Greg and Colleen Pagh

Best Wedding Ever!

One of my favorite parts of the pastoral ministry is presiding at weddings. I would estimate that I have now performed about 300 weddings during my 32 years of ordained ministry. None, however, compares with the wedding of my own daughter, Sarah, this past Saturday, August 18th!

Did I mention that she is my only daughter! When she was born 28 years ago at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, and I saw that it was a baby girl, I let out a scream of joy so loud that it rang down the corridors. Several nurses came to see what had happened. From that very first day Sarah and I have had a special relationship. My little princess!

Well, she finally found her prince and I was none to sure about this Jason fellow when I first met him! Could he measure up? Was he man enough to be the husband to my daughter? Could I trust him to care for her as I had done as her dad for all these years?

It quickly became obvious to Colleen and me that Jason was “the one” and that he would make a wonderful husband for Sarah. First, and most importantly, he loves the Lord! Second, he has a full-time job and a house! (Just kidding) Third, he loves Sarah and brings complimentary gifts that will make them a great team, including the patience that will be necessary to deal with this daughter of ours who can be both “sweet” and “sassy” all at the same time. God’s timing is perfect!

And so this past Saturday I did something that I have never done before in any of the 300 or more weddings in which I have participated. I walked the bride down the isle, and this bride, next to my own, was the most beautiful bride I have every seen. I gave her a kiss and gave my soon-to-be son-in-law a hug. I stepped to the side, as fathers must do, and they took their first steps together towards the future that God has planned.

I shed a few tears as I shared the message and vows with Jason and Sarah later in the service… but they were mostly tears of joy. Colleen and I are blessed to have raised three kids who love the Lord and have now married wonderful Christian spouses. They have given us five grandkids and we trust that Jason and Sarah will add to that number in the years to come.

There are many things we work for, pray for and hope for as parents, not without some challenges and disappointments along the way. But this past Saturday, as I walked my own daughter down the center isle at Christ Church, I was reminded of God’s amazing faithfulness and that nothing compares with the joy of seeing your children grow up to be loved, happy and blessed!

Colleen and I thank each of you who have helped encourage our children over the years. We also thank you for your many prayers and good wishes at this special time for the Pagh family! For me, it was the best wedding ever!

Blessings,
Pastor Greg Pagh

Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Deeds!

Tonight Colleen and I will watch the 3-hour Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics from London, England along with more than one billion people from around the world. That’s going to take a real wide-screen TV! This grand production is projected to cost 42.4 million and will involve 10,000 adult volunteers, 900 children and various animals from horses to sheep!

The procession of nations into Olympic Stadium culminating in the lighting of the Olympic Flame will include more than 15,000 athletes and coaches from 205 countries! For the next two weeks these athletes will compete for gold in 26 different Olympic sports! My favorites? Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics! (Just kidding) I’m a Track and Field guy!

You may not have the qualifications to be an Olympic athlete but God has most certainly called you to be an Olympic Christian! In Philippians 2:13, the Apostle Paul says, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Are you dragged down by your past or looking forward to the future? Are you just jogging through life or pressing on with all your strength? What are your real goals? Are they worthy of the One who has promised you heaven?

One of my all-time favorite Olympic athletes is the Ukrainian pole-vaulter, Sergey Bubka. During his long career he won an Olympic Gold Medal, many world championships, was the first to clear 20 feet and set the world record a total of 35 times! Once Sergey was asked how he managed to consistently pole-vault so high. He said, “I throw my whole heart over the bar and the rest of my body follows.”

Friends, as you enjoy watching the Olympics this summer ask yourself, “Am I throwing my whole heart over the bar for Jesus?” That is how ordinary people do extraordinary things that transform this world that God loves! Let us run the race for Jesus all the way to the finish line!

Blessings!
Pastor Greg

Keys to a Long and Happy Marriage!

This Friday night, June 29th, my siblings and I and our spouses will gather for a very special occasion. It is our parents’ 60th Wedding Anniversary. Gary Pagh and Betty Ford were married at age 19 at Luck Lutheran Church in Luck, Wisconsin. Their long and happy marriage has been a testimony of love and faithfulness to us all. I can assure you that it has required much more than just good luck!

On a recent Alaskan cruise they won the prize for the couple “on board” who had been married the longest. They were interviewed and asked about the secret to the success of their marriage. Their testimony is simple:

1. Make Jesus the center of your life together.
2. Always put the needs of your spouse ahead of your own.
3. Make your marriage relationship your #1 priority.

Colleen and I have benefited tremendously from this wisdom! We just celebrated our 35th Wedding Anniversary on June 11th and have been passionate about modeling these same priorities for our kids, including our daughter, Sarah, who will be married this August 18th here at Christ Church.

Priority #1 reminds us that God is the source of true love. We have found that our love for one another stays fresh and fulfilling in direct proportion to our love of Jesus and a growing relationship with him.

Priority #2 combats our tendency towards selfishness and self-centeredness. The goal is to love and serve each other every day in dozens of practical ways with the love of Jesus.

Priority #3 counters the tendency for life to pull us apart… even through good things like kids, family, work, hobbies etc. For Colleen and I this has meant making special time for each other even during the busiest days and seasons of life.

I praise God for the testimony of my parents’ long and happy marriage. I thank them for their faithfulness to keep working at it through the “for better and worse” of life. This is the legacy that I want to pass on to my children, grandchildren and generations to come. I encourage you to embrace these same life-giving priorities for your marriage relationship today!

Blessings!
Pastor Greg

An Uprising of Prayer!

This Thursday, May 3, will be the 61st observance of the National Day of Prayer. In 1952, a joint resolution of Congress signed by President Truman declared an annual National Day of Prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation. Last year, all 50 state governors signed similar proclamations.

There has been an upsurge of prayer in this last generation. Think of how many prayer groups meet every day all over America in churches, businesses, schools, homes and restaurants. The concept of intercessory prayer, that a few can “stand in the gap” and pray for many, has become a well-accepted practice in the body of Christ.

II Chronicles 7:14 has served as the rallying cry. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” I celebrate the gift, freedom and opportunity to pray, however, I sense that God is calling us to something even more during these days of such great challenges and opportunities!

What if we agreed together that prayer is about more than an hour or a day? What if we agreed to practice prayer as a lifestyle? Does not the Bible say that we are to “pray without ceasing?” What if we called upon God on this National Day of Prayer for an uprising of prayer that will touch every individual, family, community, state and nation?

This is the focus of Bless Minnesota – Adopt Your Street in Prayer. I am privileged to serve as Chair of this exciting grass-roots, state-wide initiative that has one simple goal: to adopt every street in the State of Minnesota in prayer! The people of Christ Church and this region are helping lead the charge! I call it “prayer with legs!” This movement is challenging the Church to get beyond its walls and engage with friends and neighbors, co-workers and class-mates.

To adopt a street in prayer involves four simple ongoing steps that flow out of a “heart of prayer” for this world that God loves. We begin by speaking peace and blessing to others in Jesus’ name. We reach-out and build relationships that are personal and authentic. We respond to the “felt needs” of others expecting miracles and asking God to reveal their “deeper needs” in the process. And, we seize every opportunity to share the love, presence and power of Jesus Christ. In other words, we share the Gospel as it has touched our lives in a way that it can touch the lives of others right where they are at. It is the Luke 10 model that is called Prayer Evangelism!

I will be sounding this Call on this National Day of Prayer at special gatherings from morning until night, including the steps of our State Capitol at noon. I do hope that you will attend any of the events that we have been promoting, especially our Elk River Area NDOP Gathering on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at ERHS. Many churches and pastors from the area will be participating. If you have not yet adopted a street in prayer, please visit http://www.blessmn.org/ and do so right now!

“Oh God, touch this region, state and nation with an ‘uprising of prayer’ so that this wonderful day of prayer will become a lifestyle of prayer. We ask you to use us as instruments of transformation to reach every part of this world for which Jesus gave his life! Amen!”

Blessings, Pastor Greg Pagh

Heart-burn Christianity!

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday – 2012 at Christ Church! As part of my Easter message I proposed that people “go for a walk with Jesus.” The two disciples walking the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus on that first Easter afternoon discovered the benefits of such a walk in a very profound way. Their questions were answered. The truth of God’s Word was revealed. Their eyes were opened. Their strength was renewed.

When they realized that their walking companion had been Jesus himself, they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 And even though it was evening, and they must have been tired, they got up from the table and ran seven miles all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the rest of the disciples, “It is true. The Lord has risen…” Luke 24:34

Have you gone for a walk with Jesus lately and had a talk meaningful enough to touch your heart? Have you asked him your questions? Have you shared your fears and failures, hopes and dreams? Have your eyes been opened to see Jesus for who he really is?

You say, “I think so. I pray. I go to church. I believe in Jesus. I try to be a good person.” OK, so let me ask you this way. Does Jesus give you heart-burn? I’m not talking about the kind of heart-burn you get in the middle of the night that requires Extra Strength Tums!

I’m talking about the kind of passion, the kind of “fire in the belly” that fills you when “you know that you know” that Jesus is who he claimed to be and you are willing to stake your life upon it!

I think that we need a big dose of “heart-burn Christianity” in the Church today! If we really believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and thereby defeated sin, death and the power of the devil… we’d better be willing to get up from the table and run the race of life with perseverance to tell others this Good News!

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 If we really believe this amazing promise, our lives should reflect it with passion and enthusiasm in everything we say and do.

It’s easy to celebrate Easter Sunday as the “Super Bowl of Christianity” and then go back to life as usual. I would suggest instead that we go for a walk with Jesus every day and ask him to make our hearts burn for the things that really matter!

Blessings, Pastor Greg Pagh