Gateway's Blog https://www.gatewaylife.org Church blog Mon, 18 Mar 2024 23:46:59 -0700 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Mission Trip to Ukraine 2020 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/mission-t https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/mission-t#comments Tue, 04 Feb 2020 22:00:00 -0800 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/mission-t Please be in prayer for Pastor Rod and Alexey Dolotov as they travel to Ukraine to host two Simeon Trust Workshops in the cities of and Zhytomyr (Feb. 3-5 – 2 Timothy) and Rivne (Feb. 5-8 – 1 Samuel).  We are excited to be including both pastor Roman Kurbatsky and pastor Vova Havrylyuk in the teaching lineup as well as the opportunity to be in the city of Zhytomyr for the first time, so there will be a whole lot of new pastors in attendance.

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Please be in prayer for Pastor Rod and Alexey Dolotov as they travel to Ukraine to host two Simeon Trust Workshops in the cities of and Zhytomyr (Feb. 3-5 – 2 Timothy) and Rivne (Feb. 5-8 – 1 Samuel).  We are excited to be including both pastor Roman Kurbatsky and pastor Vova Havrylyuk in the teaching lineup as well as the opportunity to be in the city of Zhytomyr for the first time, so there will be a whole lot of new pastors in attendance.

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MEN’S SIMEON TRUST 2020 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/men-s-simeon-trust https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/men-s-simeon-trust#comments Wed, 11 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0800 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/men-s-simeon-trust MEN’S SIMEON TRUST 2020

Gateway Men’s Simeon Trust training will take place on January 10-11 (Friday Night & Saturday until 1 pm) at Palomares Elementary School. 

This is a working seminar where there will be lecture, group discussions, and small group discussions on selected texts from the book of Philippians. 

Our goal will be to see the structure of the book as a whole as well as to apply the Simeon Trust principles to individual texts.  This is an excellent tool to help you handle the Word of God with care. 

All men are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Please sign up on realm to receive your assigned passages or send us email (info@gatewaylife.org) if you are not a Gateway member.

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MEN’S SIMEON TRUST 2020

Gateway Men’s Simeon Trust training will take place on January 10-11 (Friday Night & Saturday until 1 pm) at Palomares Elementary School. 

This is a working seminar where there will be lecture, group discussions, and small group discussions on selected texts from the book of Philippians. 

Our goal will be to see the structure of the book as a whole as well as to apply the Simeon Trust principles to individual texts.  This is an excellent tool to help you handle the Word of God with care. 

All men are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Please sign up on realm to receive your assigned passages or send us email (info@gatewaylife.org) if you are not a Gateway member.

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CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR BOLIVIA https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/continue-to-pray-for-bolivia https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/continue-to-pray-for-bolivia#comments Tue, 03 Dec 2019 13:00:00 -0800 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/continue-to-pray-for-bolivia Well, Bolivia has a new temporary president since Evo Morales was forced out of office due to multiple evidences of corruption.  When he resigned, many leaders of his party also resigned and based on the Bolivian Constitution their acting president is Jeanine Anez, who is promising to lead the country in a new General Election.  Please continue to pray for the health and well-being of our friends in both Santa Cruz and La Paz as there is still some resistance from those who had aligned themselves with the former president’s political party – looting of homes, physical violence, etc.

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Well, Bolivia has a new temporary president since Evo Morales was forced out of office due to multiple evidences of corruption.  When he resigned, many leaders of his party also resigned and based on the Bolivian Constitution their acting president is Jeanine Anez, who is promising to lead the country in a new General Election.  Please continue to pray for the health and well-being of our friends in both Santa Cruz and La Paz as there is still some resistance from those who had aligned themselves with the former president’s political party – looting of homes, physical violence, etc.

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“TESTIFY” https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/-testify----the-gospel-coalition-bay-area-conference https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/-testify----the-gospel-coalition-bay-area-conference#comments Tue, 03 Dec 2019 13:00:00 -0800 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/-testify----the-gospel-coalition-bay-area-conference On February 29th, people from all over the Bay Area will gather for a one-day conference, Testify: Bearing Witness to Christ in the Present Age.  Our place in the world feels different; we feel marginalized.  Our calling has remained the same, and we are still to bear witness to Christ.  The guest speakers will be Sam Allberry, Jonathan Holmes, Julius Kim, Toby Kurth, and John Onwucheckwa, and will all focus on First Corinthians Chapter 1 throughout the day.  There will also be a Pre-Conference on Sexuality on February 28th. 

 

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On February 29th, people from all over the Bay Area will gather for a one-day conference, Testify: Bearing Witness to Christ in the Present Age.  Our place in the world feels different; we feel marginalized.  Our calling has remained the same, and we are still to bear witness to Christ.  The guest speakers will be Sam Allberry, Jonathan Holmes, Julius Kim, Toby Kurth, and John Onwucheckwa, and will all focus on First Corinthians Chapter 1 throughout the day.  There will also be a Pre-Conference on Sexuality on February 28th. 

 

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Ministry in Kyiv https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/ministry-in-kyiv https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/ministry-in-kyiv#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:00:00 -0800 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/ministry-in-kyiv Dear Gateway Family…Greetings from “somewhere” out in the frozen tundra of Ukraine called Bil’che, near the city of Lutzk. Yes, it is cold, between 15-28 F, but nothing that we were not expecting.

Well, it has been a full and hard week of ministry so far. We finished up our conference on the outskirts of Kiev hosted at a camp/conference center owned and run by the Scripture Union, a mission organization and centered in England. The accommodations were not luxurious by any means but sufficient for what we were doing with the brothers. The bottom line is that we all slept well, had great fellowship and were encouraged by the growth and development of the men who attended.

The conference in Kiev was held on Friday and Saturday, but on Saturday night and Sunday night we had the great privilege to be hosted by Jerry & Kellie Benge. Jerry is a pastor friend of mine from Michigan who is now teaching Pastoral Theology at the Kiev Theological Seminary. They joined us as we went to church on Sunday and took us sightseeing in Kiev on Monday. For the church service I was assigned (on Friday) to preach from Matthew 4:18-25. It was difficult to find the time to prepare, but God gave me strength.

On Monday we were able to visit two special sites in Kiev. The first was the Famine Museum which is a remembrance of the over 7 million Ukrainians who were starved to death by Stalin in 1932-1933 in order to both control an uprising people as well as to build up economic wealth used to purchase military equipment. It wasn’t that crops were not being grown, but that the peasants were not allowed to eat any of the fruit of their labors. Simply eating an ear of wheat would end up in execution. Families were not allowed to store up food, but many hid food in secret compartments just to survive. Sadly, much of the grain produced by the USSR during that time was sent to the West (Europe and the USA). It was a really sad and evil political strategy, but largely ignored for the evil that it was. Then we visited the second holiest site of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Pechersk Lavre, where mummified former priests are kept in underground caves and multiple chapels and a cathedral encompass most of the buildings. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, like most Eastern Orthodox churches, are gaudy, gold and grand in their appearance. The idea is to show how magnificent God is, but man is left far removed and totally at a distance from every interacting with Him. He can only commune with God through saints and the priests. One marked difference is that in an Orthodox church there are no chairs or pews. Those in attendance must stand during the service. That of course makes for short sermons and ceremonies (hey! Don’t get any ideas!). It is always a heavy discouragement when I visit in such places because I see man in such bondage, in awe of the greatness and completely otherness of God, but enslaved to and reduced to hopelessness because he is so far removed from God. Still, it is a reminder of the beauty and privilege that we have in the Gospel to come boldly to the throne of grace.

Please pray for us. We are all extremely tired. We have not had much time to ourselves and we have had to move about quite a lot. We are not discouraged, but trying our best to manage our time well as well as our strength.

Today is the end of Day 1 of our conference in the Rivne region and things have gone extremely well. JD has done an exceptional job and is well liked, as well as respected, by the men attending. Yuliya is consistently working behind the scenes as well as being our cultural advisor/casual translator. On top of the conference I will be speaking to families tomorrow night and to a Youth Evening on Saturday night. I would appreciate prayer on choosing a text/sermon for both of those times of ministry – writing fresh sermons for each is a likely reality.

We miss you guys a lot and appreciate your comments and feedback.

We love you!

God bless,

Rod, Yuliya and JD…

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Dear Gateway Family…Greetings from “somewhere” out in the frozen tundra of Ukraine called Bil’che, near the city of Lutzk. Yes, it is cold, between 15-28 F, but nothing that we were not expecting.

Well, it has been a full and hard week of ministry so far. We finished up our conference on the outskirts of Kiev hosted at a camp/conference center owned and run by the Scripture Union, a mission organization and centered in England. The accommodations were not luxurious by any means but sufficient for what we were doing with the brothers. The bottom line is that we all slept well, had great fellowship and were encouraged by the growth and development of the men who attended.

The conference in Kiev was held on Friday and Saturday, but on Saturday night and Sunday night we had the great privilege to be hosted by Jerry & Kellie Benge. Jerry is a pastor friend of mine from Michigan who is now teaching Pastoral Theology at the Kiev Theological Seminary. They joined us as we went to church on Sunday and took us sightseeing in Kiev on Monday. For the church service I was assigned (on Friday) to preach from Matthew 4:18-25. It was difficult to find the time to prepare, but God gave me strength.

On Monday we were able to visit two special sites in Kiev. The first was the Famine Museum which is a remembrance of the over 7 million Ukrainians who were starved to death by Stalin in 1932-1933 in order to both control an uprising people as well as to build up economic wealth used to purchase military equipment. It wasn’t that crops were not being grown, but that the peasants were not allowed to eat any of the fruit of their labors. Simply eating an ear of wheat would end up in execution. Families were not allowed to store up food, but many hid food in secret compartments just to survive. Sadly, much of the grain produced by the USSR during that time was sent to the West (Europe and the USA). It was a really sad and evil political strategy, but largely ignored for the evil that it was. Then we visited the second holiest site of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Pechersk Lavre, where mummified former priests are kept in underground caves and multiple chapels and a cathedral encompass most of the buildings. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, like most Eastern Orthodox churches, are gaudy, gold and grand in their appearance. The idea is to show how magnificent God is, but man is left far removed and totally at a distance from every interacting with Him. He can only commune with God through saints and the priests. One marked difference is that in an Orthodox church there are no chairs or pews. Those in attendance must stand during the service. That of course makes for short sermons and ceremonies (hey! Don’t get any ideas!). It is always a heavy discouragement when I visit in such places because I see man in such bondage, in awe of the greatness and completely otherness of God, but enslaved to and reduced to hopelessness because he is so far removed from God. Still, it is a reminder of the beauty and privilege that we have in the Gospel to come boldly to the throne of grace.

Please pray for us. We are all extremely tired. We have not had much time to ourselves and we have had to move about quite a lot. We are not discouraged, but trying our best to manage our time well as well as our strength.

Today is the end of Day 1 of our conference in the Rivne region and things have gone extremely well. JD has done an exceptional job and is well liked, as well as respected, by the men attending. Yuliya is consistently working behind the scenes as well as being our cultural advisor/casual translator. On top of the conference I will be speaking to families tomorrow night and to a Youth Evening on Saturday night. I would appreciate prayer on choosing a text/sermon for both of those times of ministry – writing fresh sermons for each is a likely reality.

We miss you guys a lot and appreciate your comments and feedback.

We love you!

God bless,

Rod, Yuliya and JD…

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Jay Z and the Sunshine Band https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/jay-z-and-the-sunshine-band https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/jay-z-and-the-sunshine-band#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:00:00 -0800 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/jay-z-and-the-sunshine-band I know! I Know! The title of this update doesn’t make any sense, does it? But you need to know that Gateway has a new celebrity in town and his name is Jay Z – well, that is what the brothers have been calling JD throughout this week. Not because they know that there is a rapper by the name of Jay Z, but because in the Ukrainian tongue it is extremely hard to pronounce the English letters J and D, especially one after the other. It is quite funny, but they are all doing their best, but just can’t quite get JD out. At other times they just call him DJ and move their hands like they are working a DJ record. Of course, Jay Z, I mean JD is taking it all in stride and it is just another way that he is being loved and appreciated by the brothers and sisters here.

To say that our time here has been full and busy is an understatement. I have had to write three sermons while here on topics that were requested upon our arrival, so I have been using most of my down time to be in the Word and seeking to help minister that Word to our brothers at the conference as well as at a Youth Conference last night. Each day we have arrived back at our rooms (which have changed many times) extremely tired and, thankfully, we have been fortunate to rest well. We are by no means suffering for Jesus, but the work of ministry has been toil for His glory…and He has been faithful to use our weakness as a means of bringing praise to himself.

The conference in Rivne actually took place about 70 miles outside of Rivne out in the country in the middle of nowhere. But as I was able to look on the map we were nearer the city of Lutz at a camp where Roman, our host, learned about the Gospel when he was younger. Upon arrival we were met by the pastor of the church and conference center and I was reminded that there is still an “old school” ministry mindset in the churches here. He was a more traditional pastor and was excited to show me around the facilities. He told me that they had an attendance of 350 people, had three adult choirs of over 40 each, two youth choirs and three children’s choirs, each with over 30 children. I thought that it was a little unusual to explain the health of ones church by listing off the choirs but I remembered that the old Russian (Ukrainian) churches in many places had slipped into a more traditional and formal form and philosophy, sadly due to influence from the USA. That was confirmed when I was taken into a potential room to sleep that had a large closet filled with choir robes. Now, one thing I can say is that on one night the choir was practicing, and there is a real beauty about the minor key sound that is so much a part of Slavic music.

We were thankful for the men who attended our Workshop, about 55 in all. For many of them, this was the first time, and they came with a little fear and uncertainty, but hey, we were out in the middle of nowhere…where were they going to go! This conference was extremely well organized and Surgei, the administrator, attended to our needs and the details of the schedule. We all jumped right into the material and the brothers eagerly participated. The discussions and small group times were vigorous in the right way and the testimony time at the end confirmed that God had opened their eyes as to how to approach a Gospel, in particular Mark. The common thread, however, is that most of these men are bi-vocational and are left with a difficult task of working a full time job, being fathers and husbands as well as ministers of the Word. Both Jay Z and I had to keep that in mind when we talked about practical matters.

Last night we attended a Youth Conference of the churches in the region of Rivne. I was asked to speak on the topic, The Value of the Word, and I chose Proverbs 29:18. There were between 350-400 students in attendance, all well behaved and attentive, respectful of what was going on. There was a band that played some well-known songs, even singing “How Great is Our God” in English at the end for us. After the sermon Jay Z and I were included in a panel discussion about “Valuing the Word” in practical ways with two other pastors from Rivne. It was a great time and I pray that God used our efforts to help encourage these youth to spend time in His Word.

Please pray for our ministry today. Jay Z will be speaking at Salvation Church at their new “winter” meeting place and I will be speaking at Reconciliation Church which is meeting in the building that Salvation Church was meeting in as they continue to form this new church and secure a new and more permanent location. Pray for Yuliya, in particular, as she will be my translator.

We love you all and can’t wait to see our families and our church.

God has been good to us and we praise Him for giving us strength for our ministry here.

God bless…

Rod (JD) and Yuliya…

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I know! I Know! The title of this update doesn’t make any sense, does it? But you need to know that Gateway has a new celebrity in town and his name is Jay Z – well, that is what the brothers have been calling JD throughout this week. Not because they know that there is a rapper by the name of Jay Z, but because in the Ukrainian tongue it is extremely hard to pronounce the English letters J and D, especially one after the other. It is quite funny, but they are all doing their best, but just can’t quite get JD out. At other times they just call him DJ and move their hands like they are working a DJ record. Of course, Jay Z, I mean JD is taking it all in stride and it is just another way that he is being loved and appreciated by the brothers and sisters here.

To say that our time here has been full and busy is an understatement. I have had to write three sermons while here on topics that were requested upon our arrival, so I have been using most of my down time to be in the Word and seeking to help minister that Word to our brothers at the conference as well as at a Youth Conference last night. Each day we have arrived back at our rooms (which have changed many times) extremely tired and, thankfully, we have been fortunate to rest well. We are by no means suffering for Jesus, but the work of ministry has been toil for His glory…and He has been faithful to use our weakness as a means of bringing praise to himself.

The conference in Rivne actually took place about 70 miles outside of Rivne out in the country in the middle of nowhere. But as I was able to look on the map we were nearer the city of Lutz at a camp where Roman, our host, learned about the Gospel when he was younger. Upon arrival we were met by the pastor of the church and conference center and I was reminded that there is still an “old school” ministry mindset in the churches here. He was a more traditional pastor and was excited to show me around the facilities. He told me that they had an attendance of 350 people, had three adult choirs of over 40 each, two youth choirs and three children’s choirs, each with over 30 children. I thought that it was a little unusual to explain the health of ones church by listing off the choirs but I remembered that the old Russian (Ukrainian) churches in many places had slipped into a more traditional and formal form and philosophy, sadly due to influence from the USA. That was confirmed when I was taken into a potential room to sleep that had a large closet filled with choir robes. Now, one thing I can say is that on one night the choir was practicing, and there is a real beauty about the minor key sound that is so much a part of Slavic music.

We were thankful for the men who attended our Workshop, about 55 in all. For many of them, this was the first time, and they came with a little fear and uncertainty, but hey, we were out in the middle of nowhere…where were they going to go! This conference was extremely well organized and Surgei, the administrator, attended to our needs and the details of the schedule. We all jumped right into the material and the brothers eagerly participated. The discussions and small group times were vigorous in the right way and the testimony time at the end confirmed that God had opened their eyes as to how to approach a Gospel, in particular Mark. The common thread, however, is that most of these men are bi-vocational and are left with a difficult task of working a full time job, being fathers and husbands as well as ministers of the Word. Both Jay Z and I had to keep that in mind when we talked about practical matters.

Last night we attended a Youth Conference of the churches in the region of Rivne. I was asked to speak on the topic, The Value of the Word, and I chose Proverbs 29:18. There were between 350-400 students in attendance, all well behaved and attentive, respectful of what was going on. There was a band that played some well-known songs, even singing “How Great is Our God” in English at the end for us. After the sermon Jay Z and I were included in a panel discussion about “Valuing the Word” in practical ways with two other pastors from Rivne. It was a great time and I pray that God used our efforts to help encourage these youth to spend time in His Word.

Please pray for our ministry today. Jay Z will be speaking at Salvation Church at their new “winter” meeting place and I will be speaking at Reconciliation Church which is meeting in the building that Salvation Church was meeting in as they continue to form this new church and secure a new and more permanent location. Pray for Yuliya, in particular, as she will be my translator.

We love you all and can’t wait to see our families and our church.

God has been good to us and we praise Him for giving us strength for our ministry here.

God bless…

Rod (JD) and Yuliya…

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"I'd rather have Buckwheat" https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/-id-rather-have-buckwheat- https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/-id-rather-have-buckwheat-#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:00:00 -0800 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/-id-rather-have-buckwheat- Despite what JD might tell you, I am not taking this out of context. These are the exact words spoken as JD looked over the lunch options. And just like JD, there’s been a lot of heart change happening here during our stay. Many brothers have heard of the expositional preaching philosophy for the first time. Some commented and thanked for the clarity and approachability of the material presented. Others confessed their realizations of not being careful in handling God’s word. Hearing these testimonies has been a great encouragement, knowing that God is doing His work among His people.

Please continue praying for Rivne and for Ukraine as a whole. The 500 year anniversary of the Reformation has opened many doors for the Protestant churches in this country to minister and reach out to the people here. Roman and his church are especially involved in this effort and collaborate with churches across the country for the common goal of spreading the gospel to the people while there’s freedom and opportunity to do so.

From my observation, I would say that life has gotten more difficult for the people of Ukraine. War, increased taxes, lack of jobs- these are just a few of the everyday challenges that many struggle with. Drug addiction is penetrating those much younger than ever before. There’s a lot of work to be done, and God is opening the doors for the church to show people their greatest need and to point them to the only One that can help.

Please pray for our safe travels back home. We have a long road ahead of us, and even though we don’t have any buckwheat muffins left to sustain us, we trust to be back at home soon and see your faces again!

We have missed you, Gateway Bible Church, and look forward to being reunited!

Yuliya, JD, Rod

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Despite what JD might tell you, I am not taking this out of context. These are the exact words spoken as JD looked over the lunch options. And just like JD, there’s been a lot of heart change happening here during our stay. Many brothers have heard of the expositional preaching philosophy for the first time. Some commented and thanked for the clarity and approachability of the material presented. Others confessed their realizations of not being careful in handling God’s word. Hearing these testimonies has been a great encouragement, knowing that God is doing His work among His people.

Please continue praying for Rivne and for Ukraine as a whole. The 500 year anniversary of the Reformation has opened many doors for the Protestant churches in this country to minister and reach out to the people here. Roman and his church are especially involved in this effort and collaborate with churches across the country for the common goal of spreading the gospel to the people while there’s freedom and opportunity to do so.

From my observation, I would say that life has gotten more difficult for the people of Ukraine. War, increased taxes, lack of jobs- these are just a few of the everyday challenges that many struggle with. Drug addiction is penetrating those much younger than ever before. There’s a lot of work to be done, and God is opening the doors for the church to show people their greatest need and to point them to the only One that can help.

Please pray for our safe travels back home. We have a long road ahead of us, and even though we don’t have any buckwheat muffins left to sustain us, we trust to be back at home soon and see your faces again!

We have missed you, Gateway Bible Church, and look forward to being reunited!

Yuliya, JD, Rod

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Planes, Trains, and…. Buckwheat Muffins https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/planes-trains-and--buckwheat-muffins https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/planes-trains-and--buckwheat-muffins#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2017 13:00:00 -0800 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/planes-trains-and--buckwheat-muffins Okay, no trains… but plenty of buckwheat muffins. Pastor Rod and I knew we were in this for the long haul as soon as we were presented with a bag full of buckwheat muffins from Yuliya. Nevertheless, after an overnight plane ride with limited sleep, we needed the pick-me-up and buckwheat never tasted so scrumptious at the time. Buckwheat aside, we finally arrived at the campsite close to midnight local time. Alex Khandus, a student from Kyiv who attended last year’s workshop in Rivne, picked us up at the airport and took us straight to the Kyiv campsite. After getting settled, we all had a long 4-hour sleep-nap. Breakfast was served early morning and the pre-conference for the leaders started shortly thereafter. Regardless of the normal overnight travel conditions, we were blessed to be here ready to teach these eager men.IMG_0491.JPG

From the beginning, I could see how this was going to challenge the Kyiv pastors (We’ll be in Rivne next week). Studying the Bible through the philosophy of Expository preaching usually turns the Preacher’s world upside down. Presuppositions are being confronted and the way they used to see a passage, like Philippians 4:13, have surprised some attendees after viewing the verse in its appropriate context. Yet, the students are engaged and always ready with follow-up questions. I find these men wanting to get it right and that’s one of the main goals of Simeon Trust, to handle the Word faithfully and accurately. After one of the sessions, I had a healthy conversation with a young man about making progress in his study and teaching which I thought was very earnest on his part. This is our hope, Gateway family, that these pastors make progress in preaching the Word of God in order to equip the saints and advance the kingdom.IMG_0495.JPG

Day one is almost over and we’re all ready for a good night’s rest. Rod has labored through a couple sessions and a model exposition on Mark 5, as well as Yuliya hanging in there with us the entire time. Both are wholeheartedly committed to serving the conference attendees in various ways and I’m thankful for their labor in representing Gateway, more importantly, our Lord. We haven’t fully adjusted to the time change yet, so I ask for your prayers that we adjust soon, sleep well, and be ready for a packed day tomorrow. Still, I’m confident that God will sustain us… one buckwheat muffin at a time.

We love and miss you all!

All Grace, JD

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Okay, no trains… but plenty of buckwheat muffins. Pastor Rod and I knew we were in this for the long haul as soon as we were presented with a bag full of buckwheat muffins from Yuliya. Nevertheless, after an overnight plane ride with limited sleep, we needed the pick-me-up and buckwheat never tasted so scrumptious at the time. Buckwheat aside, we finally arrived at the campsite close to midnight local time. Alex Khandus, a student from Kyiv who attended last year’s workshop in Rivne, picked us up at the airport and took us straight to the Kyiv campsite. After getting settled, we all had a long 4-hour sleep-nap. Breakfast was served early morning and the pre-conference for the leaders started shortly thereafter. Regardless of the normal overnight travel conditions, we were blessed to be here ready to teach these eager men.IMG_0491.JPG

From the beginning, I could see how this was going to challenge the Kyiv pastors (We’ll be in Rivne next week). Studying the Bible through the philosophy of Expository preaching usually turns the Preacher’s world upside down. Presuppositions are being confronted and the way they used to see a passage, like Philippians 4:13, have surprised some attendees after viewing the verse in its appropriate context. Yet, the students are engaged and always ready with follow-up questions. I find these men wanting to get it right and that’s one of the main goals of Simeon Trust, to handle the Word faithfully and accurately. After one of the sessions, I had a healthy conversation with a young man about making progress in his study and teaching which I thought was very earnest on his part. This is our hope, Gateway family, that these pastors make progress in preaching the Word of God in order to equip the saints and advance the kingdom.IMG_0495.JPG

Day one is almost over and we’re all ready for a good night’s rest. Rod has labored through a couple sessions and a model exposition on Mark 5, as well as Yuliya hanging in there with us the entire time. Both are wholeheartedly committed to serving the conference attendees in various ways and I’m thankful for their labor in representing Gateway, more importantly, our Lord. We haven’t fully adjusted to the time change yet, so I ask for your prayers that we adjust soon, sleep well, and be ready for a packed day tomorrow. Still, I’m confident that God will sustain us… one buckwheat muffin at a time.

We love and miss you all!

All Grace, JD

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5 Year Celebration Videos https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/5-year-celebration-video https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/5-year-celebration-video#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2016 19:00:00 -0700 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/5-year-celebration-video Dear Gateway Family...

As part of our 5 Years Anniversary Celebration you had much to say.  Below are three videos that we showed over the course of the weekend.  Thanks for your words of encouragement and for your willingness to participate.

Also, I want to thank Alex Vakulin as well as Alexey Dolotov for the time and effort in making this project a reality.

Here are the videos that answer three questions...

1. How has the Gospel changed your life?

2. What one word would you use to describe Gateway?

3. What do you want to say to Gateway of their 5 Year Anniversary?

We hope that you enjoyed these comments and reflections.  Truly, God is good!

 

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Dear Gateway Family...

As part of our 5 Years Anniversary Celebration you had much to say.  Below are three videos that we showed over the course of the weekend.  Thanks for your words of encouragement and for your willingness to participate.

Also, I want to thank Alex Vakulin as well as Alexey Dolotov for the time and effort in making this project a reality.

Here are the videos that answer three questions...

1. How has the Gospel changed your life?

2. What one word would you use to describe Gateway?

3. What do you want to say to Gateway of their 5 Year Anniversary?

We hope that you enjoyed these comments and reflections.  Truly, God is good!

 

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Celebrating 5 Years https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/celebrating-5-years https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/celebrating-5-years#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2016 08:00:00 -0700 https://www.gatewaylife.org/resources/blog/post/celebrating-5-years Dear Gateway Family...

What an inspirational weekend this has been for us all as we celebrated God's continued goodness to His church over the past 5 years.  It was a great time to reflect on God's kindness, His providence over the lives of His children and the many ways that He has been at work in and through us as a church.

I am always amazed how God uses His Word at the right time and in the right way to guide His church through their experiences.  When we started studying the book of Nehemiah with the men last summer (2015) I didn't realize how relevant it would be in preparing us for this celebration.  Yet, we learned from Nehemiah the importance of a God-centered praise that is expressed in an event, in songs, in the reading of His Word, in prayer and in rejoicing.  Add to that, the joy of having the Mojica's with us, it really was a great weekend.

I personally want to thank Matias & Mery for making the time and sacrifice to be with us for this occasion.  You have been an encouragement to us all, and to me in particular.  I am also thankful that Matito can spend some extra time with us and that he can get to know our church family in a deeper and personal way.

I am truly honored to be serving as Teaching Pastor at such a great church.  We are not without our problems and stuggles, yet, as family, we are seeking to grow together, face obstacles together, serve together and ultimately glorify God together.  I couldn't ask for a better set of sheep.  For a long time I have prayed to God, "Allow me to be a faithful expositor who smells like sheep."  I am working on being both of those things and ask that you pray for me in my pursuit of those ideals.

Elia and I were truly surprised by the kind and generous gift of a two-night trip away to get a break and to enjoy some respite together as husband and wife.  We are both honored and thankful for your love toward us!  As JD mentioned, "behind every great man there is a great woman."  I don't consider myself a great man, but if there is any reason I might be nudged in that direction it is because of my wife.  She is deep in her devotion to the Lord and is a woman of prayer.  She challenges me, prays for me, watches what I wear and what I eat, encourages me and stands by me - even when things are difficult.  Thank you Elia for being a great wife.

Gateway Bible Church belongs to God and I am privileged to serve you all along-side my Elders and co-laborers in ministry.  It is work to be sure, but it is also a means of joy.  Joy in serving the Lord, joy in serving you and joy in serving with my family. 

We look forward to what God has in store for us next...

God bless,

Pastor Rod

John 6:63

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Dear Gateway Family...

What an inspirational weekend this has been for us all as we celebrated God's continued goodness to His church over the past 5 years.  It was a great time to reflect on God's kindness, His providence over the lives of His children and the many ways that He has been at work in and through us as a church.

I am always amazed how God uses His Word at the right time and in the right way to guide His church through their experiences.  When we started studying the book of Nehemiah with the men last summer (2015) I didn't realize how relevant it would be in preparing us for this celebration.  Yet, we learned from Nehemiah the importance of a God-centered praise that is expressed in an event, in songs, in the reading of His Word, in prayer and in rejoicing.  Add to that, the joy of having the Mojica's with us, it really was a great weekend.

I personally want to thank Matias & Mery for making the time and sacrifice to be with us for this occasion.  You have been an encouragement to us all, and to me in particular.  I am also thankful that Matito can spend some extra time with us and that he can get to know our church family in a deeper and personal way.

I am truly honored to be serving as Teaching Pastor at such a great church.  We are not without our problems and stuggles, yet, as family, we are seeking to grow together, face obstacles together, serve together and ultimately glorify God together.  I couldn't ask for a better set of sheep.  For a long time I have prayed to God, "Allow me to be a faithful expositor who smells like sheep."  I am working on being both of those things and ask that you pray for me in my pursuit of those ideals.

Elia and I were truly surprised by the kind and generous gift of a two-night trip away to get a break and to enjoy some respite together as husband and wife.  We are both honored and thankful for your love toward us!  As JD mentioned, "behind every great man there is a great woman."  I don't consider myself a great man, but if there is any reason I might be nudged in that direction it is because of my wife.  She is deep in her devotion to the Lord and is a woman of prayer.  She challenges me, prays for me, watches what I wear and what I eat, encourages me and stands by me - even when things are difficult.  Thank you Elia for being a great wife.

Gateway Bible Church belongs to God and I am privileged to serve you all along-side my Elders and co-laborers in ministry.  It is work to be sure, but it is also a means of joy.  Joy in serving the Lord, joy in serving you and joy in serving with my family. 

We look forward to what God has in store for us next...

God bless,

Pastor Rod

John 6:63

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