the Glocal Trekker Blog

Yesterday was blast with several of the pastors that NorthWood has helped over the years to plant. We've never had a meeting strictly of planters who have come out of NorthWood and I have to admitt it was pretty cool. We spent the day with movement Eddy Leo from Jakarta, Indonesia. In 1979 he planted along with 2 other guys Abba Love Church that today has over 25,000 in attendance. I first became acquainted with the church during the tsunami on Banda Aceh. This church is the real deal - they do the stuff and are the stuff.

Eddy isn't like most American mega-church or any church pastor for that matter. He's one of the most humble and unassuming men I think I've ever met in my entire life. He loves God, and so does his wife Rose - and it comes out naturally. He held all of us spellbound as he explained why the church in the East is exploding and why in the West we are not. It was a very candid and blunt conversation but one that I wish every American pastor could have heard. I know about 15 guys like him - they've rocked my world and taught me more about God and mission and ministry than anyone ever has. Here are some highlights from his teachings . . . .

I have no magic key for you always learn . . . . but here are some things

1. Be like Christ. How do we know what that looks like? Matt. 5-7

2. Walk in God's Covenant . . . The key is meditation upon the Bible

3. Be a healthy church . . . . UP/IN/OUT or T-Life - it's the same thing.

4. Produce disciples . . . . to us a disciple and a Christian is the same thing - they are not different. Being a disciple isn't an option.