Discipleship Academy Retreat - Memorable Experiences
I am a student in Agora's Discipleship Academy and a participant at the Agora Retreat heald February 29 through March 2 at St. Paul's Benedictine Monastery.
The rainbow, with it's different colors, has a beauty that attracts every eye on earth. This work of God shows His nature as the God of variety - an aspect of God's nature clearly exhibited at the retreat. There, different cultures gathered together to share the love of Jesus. The diversity of participants was amazing - Norwegians, Ivorians, Sudanese, and Ghanaians; some Methodist, some Pentecostal, some Lutheran, and all meeting in Roman Catholic premises and attending worship services led by Roman Catholic sisters. It brought me closer to heaven where all differences are buried by our oneness in Jesus.
Another sign of variety that stood out for me was the diverse views expressed in the Bible discussion; it too made heaven real on earth. The discussion enlightened the eyes of my understanding on how other cultures see Jesus, how they relate to Him and live their faith in Him. I found it humbling to know and see how deeply Jesus has affected various cultures. I wish the retreat had not ended. Like Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration, I wanted to say, "Lord, let us make our abode here."
Agora has a platform that displays God's nature, bringing people together - irrespective of their culture, background, color, gender, or race - to celebrate the love of Jesus and lift His name high on earth. Agora makes heaven real on earth. I urge you to be part of this wonderful movement of God.
Now I know I have Nothing to Fear
Agora's Discipleship Academy retreat held February 29 to March 2 brought together a diverse group of people mainly from Africa and America to share their understanding and practice of their Christian faith and to better their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through prayer, open discussion and silent meditation, we discovered that as Christians we have to regard our differences as our biggest strength. Jesus Christ and his message were not discriminatory or full of prejudice. On the contrary, they were intended for all nations - meaning all cultures, all backgrounds and all peoples of whatever age or walk or language.
As a new immigrant and member of a new worshiping community in the Twin Cities, my goal is to reach out to existing communities with the gospel of our Lord Jesus and to shre the experience of a church filled with the Holy Spirit, a church in which Jesus, who rose from the dead, reigns forever.
When I went to this retreat, I didn't know really what to expect, but after those thirty-six hours, I heard the Lord telling me not to be afraid. Indeed, regardless of my circumstances, regardless of the issues I am dealing with, I should not be afraid because whatever walk we have to walk, whatever path we have to take, Jesus himself experienced it before us. He precedes us, walks with us and when we need it, carries us.
Agora Reaches to Lutheran Leadership
The Agora Board has taken a bold step by writing a letter to Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, other area bishops, and the ELCA church council sharing with them some practical doable ways to help grow our church. This letter was written as a response to Bishop Mark Hanson's article in the recently published book, "The Future of Lutheranism" which stated that 83% of Lutheran congregations are either stagnant or declining. Agora has successfully assisted various congregations to expand their memberships in their neighborhoods by becoming inclusive congregations.
At Agora, we are constantly reminded that our effort of helping congregations to grow and flourish in our neighborhoods in only a small part of what needs to be done in the Lutheran church nationwide. The programs we undertake keep our executive director Pr. Cherian on the go, not only in Minnesota, but around the Midwest also. The response has been wonderful, and from a board chairman's perspective, if we only had two more Cherians, we could accomplish miracles.
I have personally seen and felt the results during special celebration services at various churches, and as I grow in years, I also want to grow in faith with my family through these welcoming and meaningful experiences. At my home congregation, Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Bloomington, we have a vision statement that reads "Building strong households of faith in this generation and the next." With your help and prayers, Agora is positioned to be a great resource to make this generation and the next grow stronger in their faith and to share it with others.
Agora Annual Meeting
Monday, May 19, 2008
5:30pm
Central Lutheran Church
333 South 12th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-4416
Dinner
Bishop David Olson, Invited Guest Speaker
Discipleship Academy Graduation
Business Meeting
Ample parking that will be validated