UKRAINE -

just returned from a week in ukraine. i wish i could've stayed longer. i also wish passion would've been next weekend so i could've attended. ukraine was amazing. it is a desperate nation searching for hope. i love that there were only two churches in the area where we were working. some of you may not understand so let me elaborate.

1.)here...there is a church every couple of miles. everytime someone in their church doesn't get their way they just start another church. instead of uniting as the body of Christ we make a church that works that way we want it.

2.)here...people go to church out of routine. everyone goes to church because everyone they know goes to church. football has monday morning quarterbacks, churches have sunday morning christians.

people in ukraine go to church because they have a desire to be part of something bigger than themselves. it was amazing to see the contrast between those in the two non-orthodox churches and those who are not christians. the people we were with were the ones trying to rebuild their lives and reach those around them with a message of Christ. while i was at the markets, i saw people buying primarliy 3 things: shoes, porn, and alcohol. i was broken, the nation is broken. please pray for God's leading in your role to serve the church. pictures will come soon.

"THE REVOLUTIONARY EMPIRE OF GOD IS HERE - ADVANCING BY RECONCILIATION AND PEACE; EXPANDING BY FAITH; HOPE AND LOVE, BEGINNING WITH THE POOREST AND THE LEAST. IT'S TIME TO CHANGE YOUR THINKING - BE PART OF THE REVOLUTION...

-Brian D. McClaren

cheers,

-dav