Merry Christmas & New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!

We hope that 2017 has started well. I was studying today and the words that Paul wrote in Philippians really stuck out to me. He was writing to the church in Philippi while he was imprisoned. This is what he wrote, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:3-11)
It is important for all of us to remember that Paul did not pray for his circumstances or their future suffering to end. Instead he prayed for them to be filled up with the love of Christ. He prayed for their hearts to continually be molded into the image of Christ. That is my prayer for myself and for our loved ones reading this. Don't let the world distract you or discourage you with circumstances. Draw your joy and fulfillment from God and remember that serving Him and living for him is an honor. I have struggled in my circumstances (culture, missing loved ones, new roles as mom/missionary) this past year. After reading this prayer from Paul I was encouraged to see things differently.  I need more prayer and I need my heart to daily be transformed into one like God's.  Please pray that we would love people well and that we would consider joy to run this race set before us.

In Christ,
Justin, Carli, & Luca

Georgia Visit & New Apartment

This September we had the privilege of visiting our family in Georgia for two weeks. It was a sweet time of refreshment and encouragement. We were able to visit two churches and give them a ministry update and ways to be praying for us.  We made many sweet memories of Luca meeting so many loved ones.  It was good for us also to go on a few dates while he stayed with his grandparents.  We are so grateful to have such a supportive family.  On days when ministry is tough and goodbyes are tearful we are so thankful that the Lord has given us family that share our vision that heaven is our home.  That being said please pray for our hearts as well as our family's hearts as "see you laters" are not fun and emotionally tiring. Pray for us in this time to draw closer to God and be grateful for the time we got to spend together.

Justin is currently fixing up our new apartment and we will be moving in on October 1st. We are so excited about the location of this apartment. It is in the city center of Budrio which means we will be right in the middle of everything. Our prayer is that the Lord will use our home for His glory. We have seen God work from the beginning of this apartment buying process all the way through to the end. Thank you for those of you who have prayed for us during this process. Please continue to pray for our hearts, that we would never find our ultimate source of comfort from the roof over our head, but that God would be our first source of peace and comfort.

Love to you all,
The Mcghins

Hope for Italy

One of our colleagues, JD, wrote this today explaining some background and prayer points for Italy during the aftermath of the earthquake. Please join us in praying for our country.

"As news comes through, it appears evident that the earthquake that struck a remote, yet beautiful area of central Italy, is a devastating one. By the hour there are more reports of missing and of deceased. Old people and young children. Seven years ago the nearby city of L’Aquila, 60 kms away, was hit by a similar earthquake. As then, so now, we face the tragedy of lives lost and the anguish of devastated families and communities.

One of my first thoughts early this morning, however, regarded an even greater tragedy.
Recently I have been researching the presence of Evangelical churches throughout Italy. The province of Rieti is one of the least reached areas of Italy. Rieti province has an overall population of 160,000 people; 50,000 people live in the city of Rieti (60kms distant from the earthquake area), the rest of the province’s population live in small towns and villages. In the whole of the province of Rieti there are no more than half a dozen Evangelical churches (of any denomination) and they are almost all in the city of Rieti. A simple conclusion: the area affected by the earthquake has, as far as we can tell, no witness to the gospel! That is a great tragedy.
Two important elements:
- vast areas of Italy still have NO local witness
- the challenge of reaching not only the cities, but the small towns and villages as well, is great; research indicates that over half of the Italian population lives in locations with less than 50,000 inhabitants, 35% with less than 15,000 inhabitants and 15% with less than 5000.
How will they hear?
There is need of the same passion of God for mission.
Please pray for Christians throughout the country: that they might make much of the opportunity to present the gospel of hope in the midst of darkness and desperation and that there might be opportunities to reach into the destroyed communities with hope and light. And that a radically different narrative can be proclaimed about what is happening, with the gospel at the centre that redefines all."

-JD Gilmore

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching...

This summer our church is going through Paul's first letter to Timothy. It is been challenging to study God's word on a daily basis and to reflect on the implications of this letter to the church in Ephesus.
This week, we are looking at chapter 4 where Paul warns Timothy of false teachers and doctrines that will lead people astray. What I find really interesting though is where Paul encourages Timothy not to be discouraged by older folks looking down on his leadership because of his age.

Paul writes, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." Later Paul adds, "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching." (1 Timothy 4: 12,16) Now, the main point that Paul wants to communicate here is that Timothy needs to set the example for all Christians whereby encouraging them to follow in his footsteps no matter his age. Then Paul instructs Timothy to watch himself and the teaching that he gives the church. This is an important part of the text. Paul somehow is convinced that the way in which Timothy saves his testimony as well as the testimony of those in the church is by Timothy keeping watch or paying attention to his own spiritual state with Christ and as well as what he communicates and lives out to those around him. This truth echoes in my own life and ministry. As a leader in our church, my responsability is not just to make sure that others around me have a vibrant and deep relationship with Christ but that I too, am in the intimacy of walking in the presence of my Saviour so that I do not lead people astray in both testimony and teaching.

This has convicted me greatly and I want to encourage those of you who read this blog of a couple things.

First, do not think that just because you may be young or may not hold an official role in the leadership of your church, that somehow you cannot set the example for believers around you. Christ has called you to live for His name and this means that all that you do, you do for the sake of God's name which is the glory of Christ in the Gospel. This means that if you work a normal job by the world's standards, you are to work in that capacity as if you are working to bring about the praise of Christ for the sake of the Gospel.

Second, by saturating yourself in the word of God and by walking daily with your Savior in prayer and serving others you will help to keep others in the faith as well. People watch us whether they be in the church or outside. We are to be the light of Christ and this means that folks should see the truth of the cross in our everyday lives. By keeping ourselves in the midst of Christ we also protect the spiritual welfare of others and their relationships with Jesus.

Another Day, Another Attack...

This morning as I write this update the verse of the day that pops up on my phone is from Romans 11:33. Paul writes, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways."
This verse comes after many in our city are asking us questions like, "Where is God when tragedy strikes? How can a good God allow so much evil?" Maybe many of you are feeling the effects of fear and anxiety in a world where police brutality and muslim extremism are on the front page of your daily newspaper. It seems that almost weekly we hear of more death, injustice, and despair throughout the world and we wonder if it will ever cease. Carli and I have tried to talk through what is happening around us and how we want to raise our children in the face a society of extremism and polarization where Christ is not treasured.

I write this because I don't think that any political contestant or protest can risolve what is happening. I don't believe that one country will be able to fix terrorism and that the problem is deeper than just racist rants and the demonization of others. The problem in the world, no matter what you hear on Fox or on MSNBC, is much worse than we think. The reality is that we need redeeming. Yes, mankind needs a redeemer. We need someone who can make all things right and bring justice for not just Nice, France but for all of us.

The apostle Paul writes in the same letter to the Romans, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." (Romans 3:23) Now, I know that many of us know that verse by heart but do we really understand the implications of it? Do we understand that our eternal state is the same eternal state as ISIS without Jesus? Those who would condemn rape, violence and death brought about by terrorists are condemned themselves when they hate their brother or sister or have lust in their hearts. So you see that by condemning what sinners do as a result of their nature you condemn yourself and your love ones who don't have Christ. We all have fallen short of God's glory. Both democrat and republican.

The verse that I mentioned above sheds light on our state as humans. Paul says that God's judgements are unsearchable and his ways are inscrutable. We cannot know as fallen beings the exact purposes for why God allows and permits evil in the world. However, I am confident that the knowledge of God in permitting evil is deeper and more profound than I can ever imagine and his daily patience and grace toward us is bringing about an outcome that doesn't just fix our problem with terrorism, it fixes the problem of ourselves. Yes, we fall short of the glory of God. In our marriages, families, relationships, work, we fall short. Although, our future as mankind may look bleak right now, the Word of God promises something much different is coming.

Our king Jesus promises us that he will redeem us. The picture is clear from the revelation of John when Christ says, "I make all things new...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end... To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall by my son." (Rev. 21:5-7)

This is the promise and hope that I want to teach my children about. This is the outcome that I want for my family. My prayer is that my wife and kids don't see me condemn others without first realizing my own condemnation. That we as the church can rise above the back and forth of political and false moral banter and proclaim Jesus in his death and ressurection. So, there will be other days and other attacks and more grace and more patience so that God's people from all over the world come to see Christ as their true treasure.


This is my prayer for you and for me.

Youth Summer Camp

For those of you who have been reading our newsletter, you have seen that this past month we were preparing for our annual youth camp here in Budrio. Overall, we had a great turn out and were able on a daily basis share the Gospel with 42 kids from 12 to 18 years old. Even though it was tiring, we were able to make new contacts with parents and families who are interested to know what we believe as a church and want to visit a Sunday gathering. We are praying for these parents who have contacted us. We are asking the Lord to give guidance and truth to them and that we can show them the love of Christ. We were please to see our Mayor Gulio come again to thank those who served during camp. We are praying for him and those who work in the city hall of Budrio. We are asking the Lord to give us wisdom and grace as we work alongside the leaders of our community and be the light of Christ to them.

Hot and Happy

Even though Summer is here and we have been suffering from the heat we are so happy to be a part of a church that does life together. This summer we are going through 1 Timothy together while meeting in different homes throughout the Budrio area. This time is so important for us because it allows us to spend more time with our church family and get to know them. It is such a priviledge for us to serve Christ alongside folks who are sold out for Jesus! Our prayer for this summer is that our church grows ever more closer together as we live out our vision for this city and the Kingdom of God.