The only way to build a relationship is face-to-face. That’s human nature.

Ron Johnson, Retail Isn’t Broken. Stores Are.,  Harvard Business Review, December 2011

A Slice of Fresh Bread

[During these four weeks of Advent, Fresh Bread will look at what the four gospel writers had to say about why Jesus came to earth. Today we will look at Mark.] 

Mark apparently grew up in a wealthy family.  His parents’ home was large enough to house a prayer meeting for the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12), his cousin Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) gave the church a major gift (Acts 4:36-37), and he had the resources to do a brief ‘internship’ with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 12:25ff).

In Bible times, people with financial resources had servants to help with the daily routines of cleaning, cooking, and household chores.  Mark probably grew up with servants available to care for him and do his bidding.  Whether or not he had servants to ease the burdens of life for him, he knew servants and the role they played.  In his world, everyone wanted to have servants and no one aspired to be one!

Then Jesus entered his world.  As a young boy, what impressed Mark about Jesus?  What did he recall when he wrote his gospel? For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  (Mark 10:45)

Jesus’ servant’s heart made an impact on Mark and shaped him for life.  Even though they had their differences, near the end of his life Paul says, Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)

What a great tribute to Mark!  What an example from Jesus’ life!  And what a challenge for us today!  Find someone to serve this Christmas season and extend the message that Jesus and Mark have given to us.

Prayer Requests

CCCA (USA) is holding its annual conference this week (Dec 5-9) at Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, North Carolina.  Please pray for a wonderful time of learning, sharing, networking, and inspiration.

CCI-Korea will hold its General Meeting this weekend (Dec 9-10). Please pray for planning, preparation, and promotion for this event.

January 16-18 CCI-UK holds its Management Conference for Christian Centre managers throughout the UK. Please pray for the planning and preparation of this conference.

CCI-Spain holds its National Conference, January 19-22 in northwest Spain.  Please pray that this would be well attended and that guests from Portugal might be able to participate as well.   

CCI-Russia holds its Christian Camping Leaders Conference January 29-February 2. Please pray for the planning and promotion of this conference that serves not only Russian camping leaders but people from many countries in the former Soviet Union.

In just over five months (April 19-24, 2012) participants from around the world will meet at Pinos Reales, a Christian camp near Madrid, for the CCI-Worldwide Summit.  Please pray for the preparations and funding for this major training and planning event.