Executive Insights

I suppose most of us have gotten used to instant everything.  Sometimes I find people expect ministry to happen as quickly as their morning bowl of instant oatmeal.  Sprinkle lightly with some brown sugar, add some raisins, walnuts and a few berries and I admit that it gets me off to a satisfied start on a (rare) cold morning in Orlando.

But in the part of the world I sat in recently – an airport in Munich, Germany – I find that Linda’s crock pot “Irish Stew” is hard to beat as a ministry analogy.  It takes great ingredients: well-prepared meat, fresh vegetables, just enough potatoes and onions, and a special sauce with a secret ingredient or two.

Of course, the secret sauce of Momentum Europe’s Irish stew is the Holy Spirit which is not really a secret.  He needs to flow through everything we do.  I’ve often tried to cook without Him and the result is rather tasteless.

One would think that if the Holy Spirit is in the middle of ministry one might see instant results.  But over and over again I’ve seen in Europe that whether the stew is Irish or French or German or Romanian or whatever “flavor”, the best ingredients must simmer slowly in the crock pot of ministry in order to produce the finest and longest lasting results.

Recently I’ve been with Momentum Europe staff in Dublin and Nice. I consider these colleagues to be like the freshest of ingredients.  They are tender in how they connect with people.  They share the nutrients of God’s Word.  Like potatoes and onions, they add substance and fragrance to people’s lives.  And they’re committed to slow cooking – allowing time for God to work in the hearts of those who have been hardened by disappointment or success or both.

It was a delicious week of ministry.  People are simmering in a stew seasoned by the Holy Spirit.  

Bon appétit!

For most Americans Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, is a day that pretty much comes and goes unnoticed as they recover from the revelries of the holiday season and a feast of football bowl games.

For Momentum Europe Partners Jim and Nan Huhta however, the day became an opportunity to lead some of their not-yet Christian colleagues toward a true spiritual epiphany – an “ah-ha moment” of insight into the truth of the Gospel.

Nan’s book, Entertaining for Eternity, encourages believers to take advantage of secular holidays to create interesting links to the Gospel.  So what more intriguing opportunity than Three Kings Day?  After all, it’s about Jesus – but most people (including Jim’s doctor colleagues that were invited to the evening) are unaware of what it represents.

Of course, taking a centuries-old tradition and turning it into an attractive evangelistic opportunity takes a little creativity.  First a theme:  “Wise Men Still Seek Him” was the obvious choice.  Then some decorations:  How about paper crowns for people to wear?  That works!  Entertainment?  Mariachi bands weren’t available in Tampa so how about Jim’s trombone teacher and his band?  And since Jim’s birthday is right around the corner, let’s also call it a birthday party and give Jim the floor and a chance to say a few words.

It was in those few words that the meaning of the evening came to light.  Sharing with their guests from the book of Daniel about how the Magi were informed over 400 years before Christ to be on the lookout for a star and birth of the Messiah gave credibility to the truth of God’s Word.  Then Jim shared about his own journey back to Christ and how it had transformed his life.  His story gave new insight and understanding to the 12 or so colleagues who had come for the Three Kings Day celebration.

As Momentum Europe Board members, Jim and Nan help set the pace for reaching out to people of influence in Europe.  In the highly secular environment of Europe the idea of outreach events that link a variety of holiday traditions to the truth of God’s Word is a spectacular way to sow seeds of spiritual truth. 

The Huhtas are already planning to be in Europe this October as part of the Momentum Europe Impact Tour. 

Wouldn’t you love to join them in sharing the love of Christ?
                  Enjoying the process…        
                                Making an impact…          
                                        Having an unforgettable experience!   

For information on how to be part of ministering in Europe this fall, please email: diane.anuszkiewicz@cru.org