When ALL Come Together

https://youtu.be/CS_jMjfN3Uc

Simply Mobilizing USA has a vision to mobilize ALL believers in ALL churches, ALL languages, and ALL generations across the United States into mission with God. What developed over the course of a week in Columbus, Ohio gave us a glimpse of that working vision when ALL come together and marked us deeply as a ministry.

This wasn't simply another Kairos course. In partnership with Emmanuel United Church of Columbus, this was the first in-person English Kairos course ever held for the Ethiopian Diaspora in the United States. A young church by Western definition, and yet a body of believers that demonstrated all of the mature qualities of apostolic passion, bottom-line generosity, and discipleship for all generations. A culture rich in spiritual and biblical identity who joyfully want to participate in God's heart for the nations.

At the same time, a pilot course for Kids' Kairos was planned to run alongside the adult Kairos intensive. As God would have it, two teams of mobilizers formed representing our five operating language teams (Amharic, Chinese, English, Korean, Slavic, and Spanish) and traveled from across the United States to assist with these courses.

Hosted in the beautiful building of Eastview United Methodist Church gave plenty of room for both teams to function simultaneously and added another level of Kingdom collaboration. Even more incredible was the God orchestrated dynamic that the teams also represented generational diversity. Ranging in age from one of our youngest Kairos facilitator to one of our most mature facilitator who has been with the ministry since it started in the Philippines.

In a fitting celebratory milestone, we were blessed to witness the certification of Dakota Cruz as Head Facilitator as a result of planning, organizing and managing this challenging intensive. Her calm flexibility, focused determination, and sufficient grace overcame all obstacles presented with a course of this size. Her perspective of what unfolded throughout the week is best described in her own words.

(Reposted with Permission and Written by Dakota Cruz):

God is so incredibly good.

This past week was a whirlwind of spiritual battles, unexpected challenges, and unmistakable evidence of God's faithfulness. We came expecting to teach the principles of Kairos. Instead, we found ourselves living them.

A Church That Modeled the Gospel

Our Ethiopian brothers and sisters welcomed us with a generosity that humbled our entire team. They paid for our lodging. They prepared meals. They provided food and refreshments throughout the course. They welcomed us into their homes and their lives. Never once did they ask what it would cost them. They simply gave.

On Sunday morning we worshiped together in Amharic. Though I could not understand the language, I watched hands lifted high, joyful dancing, and passionate praise. In that moment the Lord impressed something on my heart:

"This is a glimpse of My global Church. These are your brothers and sisters who will one day worship with you before My throne."

It was a small taste of heaven.

After the service the church announced what they expected to be more than 80 participants represented by families. We later learned the response would exceed even those expectations. That afternoon they introduced us to their culture through a wonderful Ethiopian meal at a restaurant owned by one of the church members. Their hospitality reflected the generosity of Christ.

A Pastor with a Kingdom Vision

Pastor Gelud had originally planned not to attend Kairos.

After hearing Sunday's message about living every day on mission with God, he changed his plans completely. He canceled previous commitments and chose to sit alongside his congregation for the entire course.

By the end of the week, God had given him an extraordinary vision—not simply to strengthen his church, but to see 25,000 missionaries sent out over the next 25 years, inspired by the example of the Moravian movement.

What made that vision even more remarkable was this: the church itself lacked the financial resources to provide even half of what was needed to host the course.

Yet they never hesitated.

They never said, "We don't have enough."

Instead, they asked, "How can we serve?"

Faith That Refuses to Quit

One participant, Brother Samson, became an unforgettable testimony of perseverance.

A believer for less than four years, Samson has already endured tremendous spiritual opposition. During the week his personal vehicle broke down with a repair bill of nearly $4000. He continued serving by driving his work vehicle.

Then his work vehicle broke down. Another $7000 dollars

Still, he came. He found rides, continued helping with registration, encouraged participants, and served wherever needed. On the final day, while helping clean up after the course, he fell from the stage and tore his Achilles tendon, requiring surgery.

Most people would have concluded the week was over.

Samson simply said,

"I'll see you tomorrow."

His determination wasn't rooted in stubbornness. It came from a deep conviction that God had called him. Watching his faith reminded all of us that obedience is often costly, but God's grace is always sufficient.

The Next Generation Is Ready

One of the greatest joys of the week was watching young leaders emerge.

A young woman named Lydia quickly distinguished herself as someone God had uniquely gifted to mobilize others.

During graduation she shared words that left the room silent.

"We have the Gospel, yet there are still people who have never heard the Good News. How can we neglect our Bibles when some people don't even have one?"

With tears in her eyes she challenged her entire generation not to allow what they had learned to become just another course.

She pleaded with them to live on mission with God. When she finished, she committed herself to joining the Kairos facilitation team. Moments like that remind us why we do what we do.

A Lesson in Humility

Midweek our Ethiopian friends invited our team into their homes once again.

After another beautiful meal, something happened none of us expected.

Because of a misunderstanding surrounding one of the Kairos activities, several of the Ethiopian believers became convinced that they should wash the facilitators' feet.

Despite our attempts to explain, they lovingly insisted.

One by one they knelt before us.

They washed our feet.

They prayed over us.

They blessed us.

Their actions immediately brought to mind Romans 10:15:

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."

I have rarely experienced such humility. In that moment I wasn't thinking about teaching anyone. I was simply overwhelmed by the love of brothers and sisters whose example reflected Christ more powerfully than any lesson I could have taught.

Later that evening we gathered in prayer. As my Dad prayed over the church, asking God to mobilize this congregation and raise up laborers for the nations, voices began to respond all around the room.

"Amen."

"Hallelujah."

One after another, prayers overlapped as our Ethiopian brothers and sisters cried out to God in their own language.

I could not understand every word.

I didn't need to.

The Holy Spirit was knitting our hearts together as one family in Christ. It was one of those rare moments when you know you are experiencing something that heaven itself delights in.

By the end of the week:

• Forty-six children completed Kids Kairos.

• Forty-five youth and adults completed Kairos.

• Seventy-five percent graduated.

• Two participants surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ during the course.

• New facilitators began their journey.

• Leaders caught a vision for mobilization.

• A new generation began saying "yes" to God's mission.

  
  

Perhaps one of the most exciting outcomes came after the course was when Melkam agreed to join the National Kids Kairos Team, helping us continue expanding this ministry among Ethiopian churches and beyond.

We believe these are only the first fruits of something much larger that God is beginning. We rejoice ALL together in gratitude and expectation of ALL that is to come.