Ekklesia pastor, Ken Dillman, joined several other pastors from Columbus and California during the first few weeks of November for an 8-day trip to Iraq.

The Church of Jesus is alive and thriving in Iraq, contrary to all the negative images we see in the news media. The pastors met with local pastors and para-church ministry workers in order to have insights into what God is doing.

Followers of Jesus across the world and in the West should be encouraged that Iraqis are becoming followers of Jesus in spite of war, terrorism and sectarian violence. We discovered that there are many opportunities to minister in Iraq for those in the Church in America who may be looking for short or long term ministry or missions. Additionally, there are many ministries that need resourcing of people and finances.

The pastors returned from the trip with a clear understanding that the Iraqi Church is much different than the Church in America. The primary difference is that Iraqis don't "play" at their religion and faith. Playing at religion can cost you your life--so Iraqis are "all in" or not in at all. We saw a Church in Iraq that lived sacrificially for Christ, a Church that lives out their commitment to Jesus, a Church that is willing to suffer (terrorism, torture, kidnapping) for Jesus, and followers of Jesus who have left prestigious positions to serve Him. What a contrast to the American Church!

We hope to have some photographs on our website in the near future.

I regularly listen to the radio station WRFD AM 880. There's some really good teaching from Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Jim Custer and others. Recently, I was driving to my hometown one evening and listening to a call-in program called "Pass The Salt." The host of the program is a former High School football coach who was forced out of coaching because he prayed with his team before each game.   The host is fiery and passionate about culture,...

The Missional Church demonstrates the essence and glory of God in the way we worship, care for one another and live within our world.

John Piper reveals his own God-centered theology in this book, as he also introduces the theological masterpiece of Puritan pastor, Jonathan Edwards "The End for which God Created the World".