Kingdom Fellowship Weekend

Thousands of courageous young men willingly gave their lives to defend the “cause of freedom” in the World Wars.

Where are the men and women, young and old, who would willingly risk their lives for the cause of Spiritual Freedom today? Why aren’t we hearing about more Anabaptist people losing their lives in spreading the Gospel?

Fifty days after Christ’s resurrection, the mighty wind of the Spirit of Power roared through the midst of 120 disciples when the Day of Pentecost “was fully come.” This birthed the Church of the Firstborn, 3,000 strong, from a rag-tag band of disciples. Corruption invaded almost immediately (Acts 5) among the Brethren. This disgrace quickly “made havock of the Church… perverting its Gospel” (Gal. 1:6-9), and devastating its testimony.

The Spirit of Pentecost continued to whisper breezes of Truth among nascent reform movements through long centuries riddled with compromise and error among God’s people. Early in the 16th century, these stirrings became storm-clouds and the “rushing mighty wind” of the Spirit roared again on another tiny band of disciples. Reformers? Yes, but radicalized… doggedly determined to unleash the Spirit of Truth and the Sword of His Word. Their non-negotiable goal? A rebirth in the Church of the Firstborn.

Four men that loomed large in the early days of this Spirit-powered upheaval deserve some thoughtful consideration. Ulrich Zwingli, Felix Manz, Conrad Grebel and George Blaurock all bled and died in the early days of Anabaptism for their understanding of the Church. We do well to examine the two Spirits clashing among them… the Harlot Church, and the Church of the Living God have come to blows. This same battle rages in our day. Whose testimony will we pattern the church after in our day?

Peering through 500 years of history, how can we know what caused the Reformation? When the prophet Habakkuk lamented that he did not understand what God was doing, God replied pointedly, “I am working a work in your days which you would not believe even if someone told it to you.”

We begin with God’s promises before talking about central issues such as the believer’s church, non-participation in warfare, the nature of the Kingdom of God, and new access to Scripture. Then we discuss contributing factors such as plague and threat of invasion before returning once again to God’s promise.

Imagine a church out of touch with reality! What kind of answers could it provide for the European masses? On top of that, imagine religious ignorance born from illiteracy and followed by religious totalitarian control.

Any lessons for us?

In this talk, Kinley Coulter outlines three points to highlight the battle we are in, and how to effectively win by God’s grace:

THE INESCAPABLE REALITY:

The forces powering the conflict that is raging between the Church and the kingdoms of this world are invisible but utterly real and eternally dangerous.

OUR INFERNAL RIVAL:

The kingdoms of this world are walking in blind, faithful obedience to the God of this world. We do well to consider the ‘wiles’ and ‘devices’ of the prince of this world so that we can better perceive how he operates against us through fallen humanity, deceiving us into compromise and disobedience.

OUR INFINITE RESOURCES:

The church will, most certainly, prevail. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord. The resurrection power we wield as the people of God is without limit, and so we are without excuse. Tragically, many Christians, many congregations, and many denominations will be ineffective, or worse, suffer needless shipwreck.

The topic ends with a call to faithfulness.

In this engaging talk, Melvin Lehman discusses how Communism and Socialism have failed. He begins with the its history and high aspirations: goals we could identify with. Yet it’s famously crumbled. Why?

Are we destined to have a society with disparate poor and wealthy classes? How can worthy goals like equality be realized today? Melvin points to the answer offered by Jesus.

This chorus of 150+ youth attendees of KFW 2024 praised the Lord in song together.

“Media” by Melvin Lehman

We do well to be wary of the negative effects digital media has on our lives. But “What hath God wrought?” to quote Samuel Morse, is an important question. How might our heavenly Father direct us to use this tool to serve the Kingdom of God in our day? We hope to look at the issues pro and con that are raised by this question.

“Business” by Leo Eby

Business and hospitality as usual? Hardly!

Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteous puts a hard reset to business and hospitality!

Business and hospitality are not in competition with apologetics or community building, or media opportunities. Instead, business and hospitality provide a perfect spring board for apologetics, community building, and media opportunities.

“Community Development” by Pete Garber

What does it look like when the truth transforms a community? Community Development believes in the inherent dignity and value of people, the latent resources and capacities within communities, and the comprehensive plan and provision of God for human flourishing. As His emissaries, we have the opportunity to be a catalyst in the work that God is doing to heal, redeem, restore a broken world. Come join the work of proclaiming the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of David!

“Apologetics” by Kinley Coulter

Apologetics is articulating a reasoned defense of Christian truth… responding to unbelievers’ objections to the faith. We are, like Paul, to be “set for the defense of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:17).

Polemics is the other cutting edge of the Christian apologist’s blade… we move beyond defense of truth and go on the offensive… pointing out errors and undermining the worldling’s irrational and anti-scriptural worldview.

We must use both cutting edges deftly, convincingly and compassionately as we obey Peter’s imperative to “Be ready, always, to give an answer to every man” (1 Peter 3:15).

Purpose, meaning, fulfillment, motivation—these are things every human longs for. But what exactly is purpose, and how do we know when we’ve truly found it? What is your reason for being? While there are no simple answers, a biblical perspective offers foundational principles to help us begin answering these questions in each of our own lives. In this talk, we will discuss the universal pursuit of meaning and purpose in life.

When our homes become hospitality centers, it’s sort of like a combination of a restaurant and a hospital with no charge.

God has given each of our homes a strength or a talent that we can offer to the people that God sends to our homes. What is a strength that God gave you to share? Do you have one specialty food that you love to make? Or you can serve cereal. We are really without excuse.

Besides food, people are hungry for acceptance and value, a listening ear, a safe place to cry. Share a song, share your children.

Be strong where it matters most – loving God and loving people. Even though we will never be the perfect hostess, we can practice on people, as if they were an angel, or as if they were Jesus himself.