He began simply as my patient – 42 years old battling a male version of breast cancer that had metastasized throughout his entire body. But, after two years, Danny became my friend. A truly close friend – we mutually valued each other. When I was down, I usually headed his way for a visit.
Dan was a fighter – the powers that be in the medical world had told him he had six months to live – that was three years ago. But we knew something was wrong in mid-December – suddenly he lost his vision. The brain tumor was growing – it was pressing against his optic nerve. Right after the holidays he would need some palliative radiation to shrink the tumor. He had crashed before, but he always came back – Danny was the comeback kid…
Last weekend, he continued to worsen and wound up in the SCC HH 24. I just happened to be covering the HH for the last three days of 2008 since Bob was on vacation. Dan was the first person on my Monday morning list. I was shocked! Danny’s decline was remarkable! Suddenly the truth hit me like a ton of bricks – there wasn’t going to be a comeback this time. I was blessed to spend a lot of time with Danny and his family throughout the day as he slipped into an unconscious stupor.
I went directly to Cranberry #10 on Tuesday morning. A bunch of Dan’s family from Indiana had arrived and were sitting with him. He was gurgling as he fought for each breath – the death rattle. I sat with him until about 11 a.m. and then I went to visit other patients. I had a sinking feeling when the nurse came and got me – a crisis in #10. Danny died at 11.40 a.m. His family was gathered around – we hung out together until the body was picked up at 3 p.m. We told stories, we laughed and we cried together. Our hearts were broken – Danny was too young to die. And then, the family began to thank me! Danny talked about you all the time – he was a different person after he met you! We had given up on him – we had no contact – and you helped to bring him back into our lives. THANK YOU! I found it impossible to fight back the tears throughout the rest of the day…
So why did Danny get to me so deeply?
There were many reasons, but one stood out from all the others…
Danny really did change!
As recently as one year ago, he was scheduled to come to our house for Christmas dinner because he was so estranged from his family – no one wanted him around! When he wound up homeless last year, no one opened a door for him. What a difference a year makes! This year, Danny shared both Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family. His sister invited him to move into her house. And he died on December 30 surrounded by family and friends…
What brought about the change?
I trace it back to a kairos moment at the end of 2007 when I looked at Danny and took a chance: Danny, do you want to die alone? He got very quiet and finally said NO! Several factors coalesced to make his transformation a reality…
Danny faced his terminal condition – he realized time was getting shorter. Suddenly, he was more motivated to deal with unfinished business more than ever before – especially the trail of his self-centered life that was strewn with shattered relationships! We decided to start with his family… Guess there is nothing like harsh reality and bitter suffering to give a prodigal a wakeup call!
Danny’s faith moved to front and center – his walk with God deepened. Our prayer times took on a deeper meaning. We read the Word together. We went to worship together. Danny began to act on his faith – joining me to feed the hungry at The Banquet in the inner city and collecting clothes for the homeless. Danny began to reach out to his family – he made amends at almost every point where he could. He discovered life in his spiritual journey with God…
Danny committed to a relationship – we invested in each other – we pursued a spiritual friendship. In the good times and bad, we told each other the truth – we were honest. We encouraged each other. We yelled at each other. We were thrilled with each other. Sometimes we never wanted to see each other again. We shared our lives with each other – we chose to walk our spiritual journeys TOGETHER! And, it made all the difference in BOTH of our lives…
In the end, Danny did not have to live alone or die alone – he was surrounded by family and friends – what a difference reconciliation makes…
One more afterword I would like to share. The bottom line message of Christian faith is life-change and transformation – the good news is that Christ followers become new creations. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5.17: What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A brand new life has begun! [NLT]. I have heard this all my life. I have preached this my entire ministry career. I have wished for it over and over – both in others and yes in myself as well. But, I have seldom actually experienced it. Sometimes I even wonder if it is true – I doubt whether or not it is even a possibility! Can people really change? Is the transformation of a human person even possible? Is the message really so?
Yes, I believe it is!
And I know this because I shared my life with Daniel Dailey #176957…
How would Jesus respond to Muslims? We know how. He would treat them like he treated the Samaritan woman at the well, the Roman centurion who came to Him for help, and the tax collectors and prostitutes. Jesus would treat Muslims like he treated Simon the Zealot – the Zealots were urban terrorists of the day – he would invite him to follow Him! Jesus would treat Muslims like he treats you and me. With love, respect, and huge compassion and amazing grace.
One of the greatest challenges we face as followers of Jesus in today’s world is how to respond to Muslims and violence in the Middle East. Some believers are fearful that Muslims are our enemy and are “out to destroy our way of life.”
Should we circle the wagons in alarm and fear? Should we warn everyone how bad Muslims are and alert people of their plots to “destroy our nation,” as one American believer said to me?
No fear! No hatred! No, none for us who follow Jesus. We have a calling from God to love Muslims. They are not our enemy. The real enemy wants us to see people as our enemy. We should respond in the following ways:
- Pray with love – ask God for that love if you don’t have it
- Believe God with faith – believe God to reveal Jesus to every sincere seeker and to those who don’t seek!
- Give sacrificially – give your life to go and give your finances to help others go
Let’s up the ante, shall we? Let’s call the enemies bluff. He has not power except that which people give him. Let’s meet fear with faith, hatred with love, and cowardice with compassion. Let’s be like Jesus!
A close friend, Carl Medearis, has written one of the best books you will ever read about Islam. It is titled Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships If you want to give, please send a contribution to All Nations. Please partner with us to prepare workers for the Muslim world. Thank you! To send your gift, make out a check to All Nations and send it to:
All Nations Support
c/o Walsh and Washburn
Attn: Mark Smith
5360 College Boulevard
Suite 100
Overland Park Kansas 66211
Please attach a note saying it is for All Nations in Cape Town, South Africa. Thank you!!
Hey,
A few things from my heart to yours about the training center we are trusting the Lord to buy. The Lord spoke to me this morning through Luke 18:1-8. It’s the parable of the Woman Who Would Not Give Up. She was unrelenting in her pursuit of an answer to her plea. God spoke to me to adopt the same attitude of faith. I want to be known as a man of faith who will not give up.
Jesus asks his disciples, “When I come, will I find faith in the earth?” As I meditated on this verse two things spoke to me:
“Will I find faith?” Jesus asked His disciples, “When I come…will I find faith?” When we have asked for something over and over again, and there is no answer, we are tempted to give up, to give in to unbelief. Jesus, knowing the weakness of His disciples both then and now, taught this parable about faith through unrelenting, persevering prayer. A widown who would not give up. She persisted, she would not give up. With that in mind, I encouraged my own heart this morning to lay hold of faith by faith.
“When I come…” We don’t know when Jesus will come to visit us with answer to our prayers, but when He comes I want to have faith in my heart. By His grace, I will have faith.
The most recent news about the training center:
- About R200,000 has been given toward the property in the last couple weeks - we now have R2.2 million toward purchase (the Rand is going up and down a lot right now but that is about US $230,000). We need another R1.65 million (about about $170,000).
- We have been given an extension in the purchase contract until January 7th to raise the money.
Next CPx leadership school:
- Our next leadership school (CPx) begins February 6th. Of the 45 students coming, more than half of them are young leaders from around Africa. We are coming down to the wire for housing and classroom space for the six month CPx. We have considered every other option for housing for the students coming for the school - so we are motivated to pray hard for the property Please join us!
Red Hill Baptism:
We baptized three young men from Red Hill last Sunday. One of the guys was Sibu. Sibu came to Christ a few months ago, then joined one of the simple churches in Red Hill, and within a short time gathered some of his
friends and started another little church to study the Bible and pray. He will be attending CPx for further training.
Blessings,
Floyd
We are trusting God to buy a new training center for All Nations in Cape Town. Follow this link to see some pictures of class times conducted at the center and the property itself taken early in 2008.
I believe in giving formation to emerging leaders not just information. There is a place for teaching young leaders, but the primary way young leaders are are developed is through empowering relationships. That requires time and investment of our lives.
Every morning when I open my emails and read letters with news of people’s prayers and gifts, I am deeply moved and encouraged. It builds my faith.
I confess it is quite easy for me to experience unbelief. I don’t seem to have to work at it…when I think about the economic mess we experience right now in the world, and when I look at the faith steps we are taking, unbelief tends to creep in.
But when I pray, and when I reflect on the promises of God, and when I remember it is for Africa that we are interceding, then faith stirs in my heart. A friend once said to me, “If you intercede to God for people, then you have authority to intercede to people for people.”
It is for Africa that I intercede right now. Not for us, or for a property, but for Africa. So I boldly ask you, would you prayerfully consider a year-end gift for Africa?
If you did not read my last letter, we are trusting God for a leadership training center. We have signed a purchase agreement to buy a property with wonderful facilities. We will use it for leadership training, to house students and emerging leaders, to host outreach teams, and to run a trade school.
There are two ways you can help us:
1. One is to pray. I really mean that – I believe there is power in prayer.
2. The other is to give a gift. I have asked people to consider a gift of $1000 (R10,000), but no gift is too small.
I asked last week for 200 people to give a gift. Quite a few people have responded. Thank you!
Yours for Africa,
Floyd
To send your gift:
USA: Send your check made out to All Nations to All Nations Support, c/o Walsh and Washburn, Attn: Mark Smith, 5360 College Boulevard, Suite 100, Overland Park Kansas 66211 Please attach a note saying it is for property purchase in South Africa.
South Africa or Europe:
Standard Bank, All Nations Account #072110619, Fish Hoek Branch: #03-6009-80, Address: 77 Main Rd., Fish Hoek 7975, South Africa Telephone: +27-21-748 1817 Swift Number: (for international bank transfers) SBZAZAJJ. Mark your gift “Property” in the reference line. Gifts from Europe should be sent in Pounds or Euro, not Rand.
THANK YOU!
Hello,
Every year they have a “big wave” surfing contest here in Cape Town. It’s hard to imagine surfing in Africa, but there are some huge waves that come crashing on the shores of the Cape of “Good Hope.” The largest wave ever ridden in Africa, and maybe the world, was surfed by a guy earlier this year very close to where we live. It was over 75 feet tall on the face of the wave! It was scary to look at, believe me!
For Sally and me and the rest of our team it feels like we’re riding the biggest wave of our lives as well. We just signed a purchase offer to buy a property that will serve as a leadership-training base and trade school for All Nations in Africa. The offer was accepted and signed yesterday by the owner.
We have to have the finances to complete the purchase by December 15th. That means we need over $200,000 (R2Million) in ten days time. We believe God wants us to be debt free on this property. That will allow us to give scholarships to many African leaders who are coming in February for the next CPx leaders school.
Already over $200,000 has come in for the property. That’s a little more than two million South African Rand!! Several large gifts were given in South Africa. I am asking you to join your faith and sacrifice with Sally and me and our team, and with those who have already given, to help us complete the purchase debt free.
Help us ride this “big wave” would you?
If you break it down, that is only 200 people giving US $1000 each, or the equivalent in Rand or Euros (R10, 000 or Euros 900). In the next ten days.
But most of the money is going to come through those who gift $1000 dollar or R10, 000 size gifts. Would you pray about being one of those people? I believe God for one person to give $50,000 (R500,000) and a few others to give large gifts as well.
Just to be clear about the vision, this money is for a training center for equipping African leaders. We’re launching a thousand African leaders into Africa in the next ten years. The focus is training leaders with job skills and Godly character to reach the poor and the unreached of this continent. It is a sustainable model of leaders discipling leaders while serving as tent-makers, working like the Apostle Paul did, to bring in their income.
The outcome of this vision is a goal to start discipleship based church planting movements among the 300 million unreached peoples of Africa who have never heard the name of Jesus – that includes 270 million Muslims.
We are not interested in a model of ministry dependent on buildings. The churches we start meet in homes and in the open fields and in offices and schools. We call it simple church – simple because it is a discipleship model based on training potential leaders in small, simple, easily reproducible churches of 10-20 people. All Nations has started hundreds of these simple churches already in Africa and different parts of the world.
We are committed to sustainability – that is, training leaders to support themselves with job skills while we equip them to be servant leaders. It is incredible to see the response of those we have already trained. I sat with a small group of Zimbabwean young men in a simple church last week, led by Munyaradzi, one of the African leaders who graduated from our leadership school. We trained Munyaradzi and he is now training others.
What will transform Africa? A grassroots, simple church movement of leaders discipling leaders in small groups, who in turn raise-up more leaders. In the market-place, in schools, in shops, in shacks, everywhere. The movement has already begun.
What will transform Africa is godly leaders who don’t come with their hand out for money, who have learned to support themselves through trade skills, and who move into Africa making disciples, transforming one life and one family and one village at a time.
Please help us, would you? Help us train and send this kind of leader. Help us change Africa one leader and one life at a time. Please send your gift of R10,000 or Euro900 or $1,000. We need your help to ride this big wave!
Thank you,
Floyd and Sally McClung
To send your gift:
USA:
Send your check made out to All Nations to All Nations Support, c/o Walsh and Washburn, Attn: Mark Smith, 5360 College Boulevard, Suite 100, Overland Park Kansas 66211 Please attach a note saying it is for property purchase in South Africa.
South Africa or Europe:
Standard Bank, All Nations Account #072110619, Fish Hoek Branch: #03-6009-80, Address: 77 Main Rd., Fish Hoek 7975, South Africa Telephone: +27-21-748 1817 Swift Number: (for international bank transfers) SBZAZAJJ. Mark your gift “Property” in the reference line. Gifts from Europe should be sent in Pounds or Euro, not Rand. THANK YOU!December 2008 Cape Town, South Africa
New MP3 Series - Starting a Church Planting Movement
1 Comment by Floyd on 11/28/08 - NewsPrintE-Mail thisFloyd speaks to a group of church leaders in Northeast Scotland about how to start a movement in their area. Though the illustrations he uses and the information he draws is from the area of Scotland where he is speaking, the power of what he teaches applies anywhere.
Check out this new 3 part series from October 2008 on the Media Page.
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Our Vision
Justice. Community. Hope. Discipleship: Our vision is to establish a training and outreach community in Cape Town that impacts Africa from Cape Town to Cairo. Our vision is for a multi-cultural community that exemplifies the kingdom of God and brings heaven a little closer to earth. read more
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Starting a House Church
by Larry Kreider & Floyd McClung
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What Others Say
It`s extraordinary to me that the United States can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can`t find $25 billion dollars to save 25,000 children who die every day from preventable diseases.
Bono, rock star and anti-poverty activistWhy Africa?
It is Africa's hour: Africans are rising up in great numbers to take hold of the promises of God for their continent. Everywhere you turn you find a spirit of entrepreneurship and vision for new things. read more