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Guest Editioral: Kip McKean

Always Triumphant!

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him."; 2 Corinthians 2:14

Through constant hardships, persecutions and difficulties, Paul';s take on his life and the first Christian movement was a "triumphal procession in Christ!"; Likewise in recent weeks, we in the City of Angels Church are experiencing hardships in a deepening, nationwide recession of escalating gas prices and decreasing home values; in vicious, slanderous attacks from our critics; and in family woes, such as the passing of the fathers of Lu Jack Martinez and Ken Zindler. Yet, this past weekend as "always", we continued to be led in triumph by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sunday June 29th was our Missions Contribution for the New York City planting (to be sent off in less than a month at the Jubilee) and for the support of Matt and Helen Sullivan in Santiago, Chile. Even in the midst of all the difficulties our church family is facing, our visionary leadership group set before the City of Angels Church a goal of $120,000, which is approximately 15X our weekly contribution. Well, our God blessed us with over $125,000! Also amazing to see, especially after sending out the Honolulu Mission Team earlier this month; our attendance on Sunday was 333! Moreover, the Lord again graciously added to our number three more souls through the waters of baptism: Alan Austin, Daniel Berg and Le';Mons Johnson! Witnessing all these miracles, we echo Paul's words of joy, "Thanks be to God!"

After Paul admonishes the Corinthian Church to remember they are "always triumphant" in Christ, he writes, For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other the fragrance of life. (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) On Sunday, few realized this truth as much as our new brother, Alan. Up until recently, Alan served as the “Associate Pastor” at a local denominational church of 150 members. The "Senior Pastor," Alan's mentor and close friend, had promised Alan he would very soon have his own congregation! Yet after studying the Bible with Ken Zindler, Nick Bordieri and Sal Velasco about God's plan of salvation, faith, repentance, discipleship and baptism for the remission of sin, Alan became convicted and convinced and even studied these same Scriptures with the Senior Pastor! Though afterwards labeled a false teacher by his own mentor, Alan was unwavering in his new convictions from God's Word and was baptized Sunday! Through his obedience to God's Word, Alan has become "the smell of death" to his former congregation. However, to God [Alan is] the fragrance of life, because he chose truth and his relationship with God over false doctrine and his relationships with those who teach such errors. Elena and I empathize with our new brother, for the principle of "truth over relationship" gave birth to the Sold-out Discipling Movement.

Also this past weekend, God greatly encouraged my physical family with another "triumph," the celebration of my parents' 80th birthdays! Though my dad turned 80 in May, my mother reminded me she is still "only 79," as her birthday is in September. For this auspicious event, the "West Coast McKean Clan" [my sister Dana and her family, my nephew Kent, his wife and their baby (my parents' second great grandchild), my son Eric, Elena and I] were joined by my daughter Olivia and her husband Santeri from Europe and my son Sean, who lives on the East Coast.

Friday night, Elena cooked an incredible Cuban meal! On Saturday, Sal Velasco, Nick Bordieri, Raul Moreno, DJ Comisford and Ron Harding played basketball with Eric, Sean, Santeri and myself. Perhaps showing my age, I was the only one who lost every game! Yet, for me, the "triumph" was - at 54 - to still be on the court in such a sweet fellowship! On Saturday night, my sister hosted the main event! We enjoyed grilled rib-eye steaks and fresh fish! After a tear-filled time of sharing about "Dad and Mom / Grandpa and Grandma," we gathered around "the cake!" Since Dad was an admiral in the US Navy and Mom was a high school art teacher and commercial artist, we had a specialty cake (similar to those seen on TV's Ace of Cakes) made in honor of my parents. "The cake" was a scrumptious dark chocolate with vanilla flavored icing made into a three-foot long aircraft carrier!

On the flight deck was not only the number 80, but an easel with a picture, in icing, of my parents! This creation was simply entitled, "To the Admiral and the Artist." At Sunday worship, adding to the joy of the Missions Contribution, my parents and children were warmly embraced; Dad and Mom were congratulated with a rousing applause by the entire congregation!

Sunday afternoon continued the "triumphal procession" as fragrant news from everywhere spread to us! Orlando, beginning in March with just two disciples - Anthony and Elizabeth Eckels - had 54 in attendance! With two restorations and two placed memberships that Sunday morning, the Orlando International Christian Church now numbers nine sold-out disciples! George Grima, leader of the New York City Remnant Group, reported they had over $10,000 donated for the future church planting! Andrew and Patrique Smellie informed me that they have now officially moved from Syracuse to DC and are beginning to collect the team, which will also be sent out at the Jubilee! Chris Broom of the Chicago Church shared that 80 of their 90 members are signed-up for the Jubilee! In speaking with Chris Chloupek, I learned that in the three weeks after the Sullivans' departure, two campus students have been baptized and a fallen away disciple restored. Then Michael and Michele Williamson called. Thrilled, they shared that they finally rented their house in Portland and will move to LA this week to begin co-leading the Hollywood Region! Finally, Matt reported from the 50 member Santiago Church that this past week their studies increased from five to 19!

Equally as exciting as any of this news, have been my phone calls with Michael Orieny in Nairobi, Kenya. Michael - a paid denominational preacher - first read about our movement of churches on the internet. Intrigued by the phrase "Sold-out," the concept of discipling, and our efforts expanding into so many countries, he contacted me last November. By God's grace, I have guided and challenged him with the First Principle Studies on our website. Recently, Michael came to a saving "knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) He was baptized for the remission of sins and, in his excitement, sent me several pictures of the occasion! In the last month, he has baptized four others thus adding to our young movement a congregation in Kenya! Presently, Michael is in Tanzania, a neighboring country, studying with a friend and his household. This "triumphal procession" has led to Michael and his family losing their financial support from their former congregation, as well as their home, which was the parsonage. Hebrews 10 echoes in my mind, "Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publically exposed to insult and persecution... and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions." (Hebrews 10: 32-34)

City of Angels Church, I am so moved by your incredible sacrifice for the Missions Contribution! Also to be thanked for their sacrificial offerings are Mike DeVault and Glen Sullivan. Let us continue to be steadfast in prayer, as many among us remain in situations that are both financially and emotionally challenging. Remember, no matter the circumstances, we are "always triumphant!" Our God is leading our entire movement in a "triumphal procession," so we should be confident our labor and sacrifices are not in vain. Truly, God is multiplying our meager "fishes and loaves" and "through us spreading... the fragrance of the knowledge of Him" throughout the United States - LA, Honolulu, Orlando, New York City, Syracuse, DC, Chicago, Phoenix, Portland - and, in time, according to His promise, into all the nations in this generation! And to God be the glory!

Kip McKean