I Went to a Jail
Calvary Rosarito’s church planting conference was going to be held on August 14–15, so I thought it would be wise to leave a day early to avoid any unexpected problems.
Then I discovered something that changed my plans. Just half an hour from Tijuana, there’s an aircraft carrier that has been turned into a museum. Since I was flying into Tijuana anyway, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity!
I crossed the border to visit the U.S.S. Midway in San Diego, California.
But let me give you a little more context and share two key ideas that will help you understand why this was so significant to us.
—-— AUTOMATIC SUMMARY
I traveled a day early for the Calvary Rosarito conference and took the opportunity to cross the border and visit the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier in San Diego. But first, I need to give you two key ideas so you can understand why this was so important to us.
Key #1: Cruise Ship or Aircraft Carrier?
From the first time we heard the analogy that churches can function either like a cruise ship or like an aircraft carrier, it really impacted our hearts.
Our church, Calvary Maranatha in Mazatlán, Mexico, is located right across from the cruise ship terminal, so we have a constant reminder to ask ourselves: “What kind of church do we want to be?”
CRUISE SHIP CHURCH
On a cruise ship, you get on expecting to be served.
Everything is included so you don’t even have to worry about managing your money.
There are activities and shows designed for your entertainment.
The ship is designed to be visually appealing.
AIRCRAFT CARRIER CHURCH
On an aircraft carrier, every person has a specific role and responsibility.
Everyone on board shares one great mission.
No one expects to be entertained or comfortable all the time.
The ship is designed to be strong and functional.
When I stepped inside the aircraft carrier, my first impression was how cramped everything felt. Even after being out of service for so many years, it still has a very distinct smell of oil.
As I explored some of the deepest parts of the ship, I passed through narrow doorways and steep, tight stairways. Almost everything is made of metal, and whenever you look up, you see cables running along the passageways.
Clearly, this ship was not designed to look good or to be comfortable, but to last for many years and fulfill its mission.
As disciples of Jesus, God has given us a Great Commission to fulfill, and we will never accomplish it with a cruise ship mentality!
—-— AUTOMATIC SUMMARY
The church is not a cruise ship where we come to be served, but an aircraft carrier where every person has a role in a shared mission. As disciples of Jesus, we must live focused on fulfilling the Great Commission.
Key #2: Alone or as a Team?
I have to admit that I’m a bit of a loner by nature. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, but it definitely isn’t a good thing when it comes to the work of God. That’s why I believe the second thing God made very clear to me when He began speaking to us about Spain was that I should not even try to do it on my own.
There are hundreds of different roles on an aircraft carrier, and my visit to the U.S.S. Midway proved it.
Some of the roles were obvious and predictable: captains, pilots, engineers, and cooks... because, of course, everybody has to eat.
But some of the other roles surprised me:
An entire dental department (imagine trying to fly a fighter jet with a toothache)
Surgeons
Tailors
And even “police officers” who can put you in jail right there on the ship.
I went down into the depths of the aircraft carrier and spent a minute inside its brig, just to show how varied the roles in a mission can be, including the responsibility of maintaining order on board.
—-— AUTOMATIC SUMMARY
God’s work was never meant to be done alone. An aircraft carrier has hundreds of different roles, from pilots and engineers to dentists, tailors, and security personnel. In the same way, fulfilling the mission requires a team where each person contributes through a different role.
This wasn’t invented by the U.S. Navy, or by any other country. Our Lord designed the world to work this way.
There are different ways to serve, but we all serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
The human body has many parts, but all those parts together form one whole body. The same is true of the body of Christ.
Together, you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of that body.
1 Corinthians 12:5-6, 12, 27
The church is a living spiritual organism. We are all connected, and we share one mission: to make disciples to the ends of the earth!
We are going. What role has God called you to?
The next day, the church planting conference began at Calvary Rosarito. It was a great blessing to hear God’s Word, but also to spend time with brothers I hadn’t seen in a while and to get to know others better.
A huge thank you to Beni and Sandra, who not only hosted us but treated us like royalty. May the Lord bless you abundantly in return!
Jona and Marina, nine years ago your friendship in the middle of a very difficult season was like an oasis in the desert. I’m grateful for the chance to see you again, even if it was only for a short time. May God continue to guide you in this new season!
Sergio, it was such a pleasant surprise to find out we were staying in the same place. May God bless this friendship for many more years, whether we see each other again in Mazatlán, Morelos, or in Almería.
Finally, back in Mazatlán, we have some good news!
Praise God, we finally have Manuelito’s passport in our hands!
Those of you who knew about it know that we had been praying for this for a long time. Thank you so much for your prayers.
God always makes a way where there seems to be no way!
How can you continue praying for us?
- For Manuel and Eunice’s health**
They have been dealing with flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and body aches for the past three weeks.
- For Dayna, Ammi, and Manuelito’s school preparation
They have already begun studying on their own according to the Spanish school system to help make the future transition smoother.
- That God would continue providing partners for this transition
For a care team, a team of partners, people to step into our roles at the church, and for all the paperwork and logistics ahead.