A parable from Ethan

These are thoughts from Ethan after his surgery.  Angie helped guide the concept he came up with.

Suppose you have a surgery, a long surgery. Then you wake up and it’s like a dream because you’re home.

The surgery is like when you’re on earth. Earth is like surgery because earth is a painful time. It’s painful because it’s full of sin. If we accept Jesus in our lives we’re separated from the devil. When we do that we realize how bad earth is.

When you wake up you are home. Home is safe and comfortable. Home is like heaven because we’re safe from the devil.  

By Ethan Penner

12.31.11

The wounded soldier

Youth Center

Amber Carter and I made this video to show the vision Josh has for a youth center.

Vlog #2 - A funny Story

Intro to Video Blog

Who Sleeps on the couch?

Daren Busenitz my good friend and Wichita Director wrote this blog recently and I wanted to pass along.  Just one example of  how life is so different for people in the city.  


This was the question of one of my neighborhood kids asked me when they came over to visit the other day.  It caught me off-guard and at first I was not even sure how to respond.  But then the harsh truth slowly dawned on me.  But first, let me back up a bit.
The kids that come over stay at a house two doors down from us to the North.  While most of us would use the term "live in a house", it is interesting that among the poor in our neighborhood, the phrase "stay at a house " is more often the description which indicates the temporary nature of even the most stable things in their lives.  The house itself is a typical inner-city house.  Run down and barely able to keep up with the demands of all the people who stay inside its few walls.  Bare dirt on the front lawn from constant activity of kids, teens, adults coming and going.  I think the grandmother technically owns the house, but you would never be able to guess who lived there due to the large amount of people who randomly come and go .  An old large car that somehow continues to run despite its obvious neglect in routine maintenance and upkeep.  The harshest fact may be there there are two bedrooms in the house with two beds and LOTS of people.  As you can imagine, the kids are lucky to even get a spot on the couch and even more likely to get a spot on the hardwood floor.
The question slowly made sense, "so who sleeps on the couch?"  Equal to the surprise for us that someone would not have a bed to sleep in, is the surprise for my neighborhood kids who can't even envision a couch that is not used at night for comfortable sleeping.  This certainly puts things in perspective in a hurry.
The thing that I want to change about my life from this "learning point" is the concern and action that I myself have and demonstrate for my neighbors.  I am not Ty Pennignton and I cannot come in and build them a lavish new house (that would quickly fall into disrepair anyway once the media leaves).  However, I can seek to alleviate the suffering of the poor.  Specifically by building meaningful relationships with my neighbors, learning of their need, trying to help meet those needs as I share of my resources and demonstrate (not just tell) how God wants to provide for them and become the one that they can fully trust in for all their needs.

Work out time!!

The kids are learning how to work out and enjoy exercising. Bree first was practicing her gymnast moves on our mini trampoline but then decided to get on the treadmill.  In modelling fitness in the last year, they are now enjoying it as well.   

Puzzle Pieces

I am not very good at puzzles nor do I really like them.  It's probably my personality and my lack of patience.  But God has been giving us lots of puzzle pieces lately here at World Impact.  As the volunteer coordinator, I am often the point of contact for someone interested in getting involved with our ministry.  Also, I have been partnering with Susie Krehbiel this past fall to help with fundraising.  In the past few months we have seen much more interest in our ministry.

I think one of the main contributing factors to this increased interest in our ministry is two books. The popularity of books like Radical by David Platt and Crazy Love by Francis Chan have stirred people to get out of their comfort zones and want to make more of a difference with their lives.

As Susie and I have interacted with each church and each individual, we've gotten a growing sense that God wants to do something big in our city and especially among the poor.  So right now we are in the process of collecting the different puzzle pieces and then praying through what God wants us to do.

Pray especially for Daren Busenitz our Wichita director, and Lisa Entz our church plant director.  Pray that they will have wisdom and clarity for what God is doing in the midst of all of this. 

Francis Chan Event

While it was an immense amount of work planning for this event, it was one of my favorite projects I've been a part of since joining staff.  I worked with a great team planning the event and was a part of working with tech stuff, brainstorming new ideas, and networking with lots of people. (one of my favorite things in life).  The event was a great success and here is the official article on it. 

World Impact Wichita was honored to host Francis Chan for two special events November 3-4.  Francis has served on our national board for around ten years.

 

On November 3, Francis spoke at Central Christian Church. Around 2,700 people attended the event!  Francis shared his heart for the poor and challenged everyone to take the Bible literally. He said that it is often common for people to twist the message of the Bible to justify their own lifestyles. But, instead, they need to fully obey the message communicated in Scripture—to love and preach the good news to the poor. Dr. Keith Phillips, the president and founder of World Impact, gave an overview of our vision and ministry and then gave a challenge for people to be involved with caring for the poor.

The next morning, 300 pastors and leaders of local churches came to a breakfast hosted by Westlink Christian Church. Francis gave another powerful challenge to these leaders.

We praise God for the ways He moved in the hearts of people through these events.

Around 150 people expressed interest in learning more about World Impact. Fifteen people came to “Encounter World Impact” to learn more about specific ways to get involved with World Impact in Wichita. Generous givers allowed us to raise $35,000 that evening!

Here are some responses we heard from people after the event:

“Francis Chan really made us squirm in our seats tonight. Wait, we actually have to follow the Bible all the way? Very challenging. Thanks World Impact Wichita, and our friends Don Davis and Matt Penner for sharing this with Wichita and City Life Church. Kudos to Steve Brummer and Lee Lundgren for doing a great job with worship!”

“I was encouraged and convicted at the same time. A friend said it's like someone hugging you and punching you in the gut at the same time.”

“Heard Francis Chan speak last night. We went home to ask God, "Ok...now what?" and to continue as he (Francis) encouraged…to take the Bible more literally.”

“So glad I got to go last night to hear Francis Chan! Now the question is: what do I do about it?”

“Last week, after months of avoiding God, denying his calling, skipping church, etc. He broke through. What Francis said was not new or ground breaking to me. Instead, it was simply confirmation that I am being restored to ministry...a call that once issued is irrevocable. Oddly, 10 days ago I had received an email from my seminary about someone inquiring about my availability to help a church/youth group. I had ignored the email...until last Thursday night.”

Here's Bree reading in Spanish.

If Our God is For Us Tour Concert

Last night our family went to a great concert.  Christy Nockels is one of Angie's favorite female voices and, because of that, Bree loves Christy.  Whenever we are in the car making requests for the mp3 player, Bree asks for Christy Nockels. :)  Plus, we all sing Chris Tomlin songs at church - so last night was a special treat for our family.

We got to the concert at 5:30 and thought we'd be near the front, but there was already a line. Thankfully my dad and his friends were in the very front, and they invited us to join them. So when the doors opened we ended up getting 4th row seats!

We loved the whole concert.   What is so clear about the Passion movement is their absolute desire and focus to give God all glory and praise. That was completely evident last night.  We enjoyed hearing all the best Tomlin songs and especially a couple of numbers by Christy.  Louie Giglio had an amazing message from Psalm 148.  He showed how God had designed all of creation to worship him and how he invites our voice to be a part of that.  He had sounds from stars and whales. It was pretty amazing to hear those sounds that they are making all around us, and how God desires us to join in.

The kids faded and were tired the last 45 minutes but it was well worth it.  

Moody Here I Come

Tomorrow I will leave for 4 days of recruiting at Moody's Mission Conference. This is always one of the highlights of the year for me.  I absolutely love all things Chicago!! The buildings, the food (Pizza and Italian Beef), being on campus at Moody and staying with my good buddy Dave Palleson.

Moody has held a special place in my heart as I had great memories with Phil there.  Then with his passing a few years ago, it became even more special to be in Chicago.

This time I am taking my colleague, Andy Entz.  He has never been to Chicago or on a recruiting trip with me, so I am looking forward to introducing him to the list mentioned above!

During the days of the conference I will talk with students and teach in two different classes. Every night around 9, the students come by our booth after the last session and we talk and talk sharing about World Impact and urban missions.

I truly love meeting new people and sharing what God is doing in the city and with World Impact.

Please pray that God would lead me to talk with the right students.

Also pray for Angie as she is home alone with the kids.  

13

Today, Angie and I have been married 13 years.   As I reflect on that number, at times it feels like we've been married forever and yet it's hard to believe it's already been that many years.

In these past years we've grown up a lot together and experienced a lot.......

• births of Ethan and Bree
• planting a church and ups and downs in ministry
• incredible friendships
• death of a mom
• death of a brother
• 4 months in Costa Rica
• burnout
• spiritual and emotional healing
• weight gain and loss :)
• lots of laughter and inside jokes
• music and concerts

I am very aware that I married up.  Right before our wedding, my mom told Angie, "I tried, he's yours now."  I don't think she fully knew what my mom meant until a few years into marriage.  Recently at a staff gathering, when they heard it was our anniversary coming up, they all congratulated Angie in her perseverance!  Even though we all shared a great laugh, I knew there was some truth in that.

In this day of age where so many marriages fail even among Christians, I am so grateful we are still together, in love, growing close to Christ and each other.

I am more excited than ever about our family, our life, and where God has us in our marriage. I can't wait to see what is in store for us.

Thanks, Angie, for your perseverance!

Why Angie is Recording Music?

In the last two months, Angie has set up a studio in our basement and taken over my office.  (no I am not bitter about this, really,  I'm not. )

She is in the process of learning the ins and outs of the software and working out all of the bugs. She will hopefully start to actually record music in the next couple of weeks.

The purpose of the music is for our church planting.  In Wichita, our vision as a staff is to plant many churches among the poor.  We are working on developing resources that will assist in the planting of the churches.  One of those resources will be the music Angie is producing.

As we plant a church, if there isn't someone gifted to lead worship in the church, anybody can lead with the CD. Below is a few pictures of Angie in her studio.

Please pray for her as she records the music.   The project at times feels enormous and overwhelming to her.   Pray that this CD project would be truly used to help us plant churches here in Wichita and that through it people will be lead into the presence of God.

Why I "Tri"?

This past Sunday, I completed my first triathlon.  For the past 6 years, I have wanted to do one but only in the past year have I gotten serious about getting in shape.

The past 10 weeks, I took a tri class at our YMCA.  I had already been swimming, biking, and running, but in the class I was able to learn more about the sport and take my fitness to another level.  I have so much to learn and will need to increase my fitness a lot more in the future. But I feel great about where I am at now.

I am not sure what first attracted me to triathlons.  I often like to read stories about humans doing incredible feats and I think I was just intrigued with the thought of being in great shape and doing all three sports.

A couple of years ago, Lisa Entz, one of my leaders and co-missionaries suggested to me that I needed to be more competitive.  Growing up and all through college, I competed regularly in sports and mostly in tennis.  But in these last years, I haven't done much competing.  She suggested for my personality and overall health, that I need to compete.  She thought as I find something to compete in, that it will help me in other areas of my life.

I am seeing if triathlons are something that I can get into that can be my competitive outlet. This past Sunday I finally did my first one. It was a very small one and as I was finishing it, there were inner thoughts that were whispering, "Why in the world are you doing this?'

But I kept plugging away and was able to finish.  This summer, I plan to do a couple of tri's outside.  The first distance will be a Sprint, and the 2nd is a shorter version of an Olympic.   My goal someday is to think about doing a half Ironman, but for now I am taking it one race at a time and seeing how I enjoy it.

Here is a link to some pictures I posted on Facebook


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=341766&id=534216971&l=eb364e3ff3

Why we love serving with World Impact?

This September, we will complete 12 years of service with World Impact.

Angie and I are more excited than ever about serving. Here are some reasons why we love ministering with World Impact.

• Their commitment to empowering the urban poor.   (James 2:5)
• Their commitment to starting churches in some of the hardest communities in the city, often where the church is currently not thriving
• We love all of the staff we serve with in Wichita and in other cities.  Because Wichita hosts many conferences, we have had the privilege of getting to know many staff in other other cities.  We feel like we serve with the finest missionaries.
• We have great leadership.
• Our staff has become our family and they have truly embraced our kids as "Aunts" and "Uncles".
• Serving with World Impact allows us to do many different jobs and roles.  Our days are never dull or boring.  Whether we are trying to use our broken Spanish in helping a church plant, or hosting college students, or interacting with different leaders who are in for training with TUMI, we are blessed to meet a wide variety of amazing people who love the Lord.
• Best of all we get to serve God and give Him glory everyday in all of those roles!

Moody Students!!!

Instead of answering a WHY question this week, here is an update on our week with Moody Students.

The past two years I have made 5 recruiting trips to Moody.  They have a great urban missions program there led by Professor Clive Craigen.   He really loves World Impact because of our emphasis on church planting.  So in the last year, we talked about having students come for a learning trip with us here in Wichita and with our ministry in St. Louis.

The past week, we had 5 students visit Wichita for 3 full days.  Part of the time was spent in the classroom doing different teachings on culture, the city, and church planting.  Then the rest of the time was visiting different church plant services, or just learning from various church plant pastors that I know.

On Tuesday afternoon, we spent two hours doing door to door evangelism in our old community of Oaklawn. The students enjoyed partnering with Lighthouse Community Church and putting into practice their faith.

The last evening, Angie and I hosted them in our house and we led them in prayer and worship.

Below are a few pictures.

Why I am trying to be healthy?

In our culture there are two extremes.  One side of culture tempts us with any good food imaginable and teaches us to indulge.  Our society has never been unhealthier and obesity is a major issue.  Yet the other extreme of culture says that it’s all about image and looks.  There are so many fad diets and quick fixes to offer good health.

Then within Christian culture there is wide opinion.  Does it really matter if I am healthy?  Does God only care about my soul?  What does it matter since I get a new body in heaven?

Growing up in my Penner family, nutrition and health were something that was often discussed. My dad, being a dentist, has attended many lectures over the years on health and this has lent toward many discussions. I can remember my mom cooking oat bran muffins and at times having to eat cookies and pizza with ground whole wheat flour!  Also playing tennis and attempting to be an athlete, I somewhat cared what I ate. 

But once marriage and ministry hit, these values left me.  I didn’t care about my weight or my eating habits.  I was living in a culture that didn’t care about health at all so it was easy to fit in. 

We were extremely busy with planting a church and raising a new family, so caring about what we ate or our weight, or exercising were things far from the reality of our daily lives.  Deep down I had this longing to be healthy and to get back in shape, but at that point in my life it wasn’t possible.  I struggled with my weight getting to a max of 210 which was 35 pounds more than when I was first married.  I couldn’t run.  I felt lousy, and I was down about being so out of shape.

As we shared our story in an earlier blog, God has brought much healing to our lives. It’s also brought a conviction that I need to be healthier.  All of 2010 was a process of me learning about health and learning a new lifestyle.  I am still learning, but I feel that we have made some traction towards better health.

In the past year, I have lost 25 pounds - most of that since September.  But it did start earlier since I had slowly started to and now focus on eating better and exercising.

Now back to the questions of “Why?”  I do believe that God cares about our bodies and that he wants us to take care of them.  We do this to honor and glorify God.  God only gave us one body to live in. This is now our moment to live our lives fully for the kingdom of God, and if we are not taking care of our bodies then we are going to be of less use for His kingdom.

A good friend and spiritual mentor of mine, Dave Williams, said at our missionary retreat. “You take your body with you everywhere you go.”  That is the “vehicle” that God has given all of us and it is our responsibility to take care of it.

I have often struggled with being tired and not having enough energy which then can directly affect my spirituality.  For me to have energy, I need to sleep at least 8 hours at night.  Often I will sleep even 8 ½.  That may not be possible for everyone but that is what I need to do.

I will talk in another time about my exercise and eating habits.  But the green smoothie has been my key.

I do firmly believe that our health needs to be in balance.  Ultimately it is our soul that we should be most concerned about. The great news is that we do get new bodies in Heaven.  So if ours have failed, we still have a great hope.

But if we can, I do think we should take care of the body we have now.  Most importantly, so we can be as effective as possible for the kingdom of God.

I would love to hear your comments!  Even if you think I am off-base on this, I would love to hear from you!

My one scripture that I often think about is 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV, ©2010).

“19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”

If my body is a temple of the Spirit, then I think I should provide the Spirit with a good home.

WHY?

We are going to start a new series on our blogs and we will answer different WHY questions.

I (Matt) am definitely not a gifted writer.  One of my gifts in  strengths finders is communication but for me that normally comes out in verbal and not written communication. (Surprise surprise).  So keeping up with this blog is sometimes a chore but we enjoy having it to keep our supporters updated with the personal side of our lives.

So for the upcoming weeks and months we’ll answer different questions about us.  Like Why do we care about our health, Why are we missionaries?  Why do we like living in the city?  and so on.  Some of them will be about our individual lives and others about our ministry with World Impact.

So please check in on our blogs on Friday’s.  

God's Provisions

We are often amazed at how God blesses us in small and big ways.

Many times in the past years, God has provided something for us as we were thinking that it would be nice to have.  One example a few years ago was our piano.  Our first 8 years of marriage we were in such small homes that we didn't have room for one.  Then as we were living in our current home, Angie was mentioning how much she would love to have piano.  We thought that we would start to save for one.  Then we got a call that some good friends of ours were moving out of Wichita and they wanted to give us their piano!!  We were so shocked and overwhelmed by that gift.  Angie has since filled our home with so much music and praises. (Thanks Paul & Kay!)

We recently had another blessing.  Ethan has wanted a loft in his bedroom and we heard of someone selling their old one from college and we only have to pay $20.  So tomorrow we are going to pick it up at Tabor.

We are so grateful for how the Lord takes care of us!