John Cameron

If we r ever looking for true north when it comes to being a believer in Jesus - here’s where u can find it: Take a moment for prayer. Reach out to God & ask, “Help me love u more wholeheartedly, & people more selflessly.” Live that prayer & you’ll live the heart of God.

Not polish, not professionalism (sometimes that gets in the way), just love. Love for God, love for people. Yes, excellence matters. How could we be mediocre for the God of the universe? But its not a level of equipment, its a heart of worship.

I’ve spoken in churches crammed into low ceiling high rise offices in Hong Kong, in open sided, mud roofed auditoriums in Malawi and in factories across Aotearoa (NZ) and the key thing that makes church church has always been God’s presence meeting with God’s people.

Raw, simple, unvarnished, but authentic. Powerful. Honestly, life changing. I loved it. I was reminded (as I have been over & over again) that church is all about God and people. Loving God, loving people. If we have a heart for Him and a heart for one another, we r the church.

So to build the church, to reach a broken humanity, we’re focused on two things: God and people. Today I’m pausing to that God for 19 incredible, miraculous years. And here’s to 19 more!

Things have changed so much in the last 19 years. Our world is dramatically different. Culture is different, technology is different, human interaction is different. Truth is, we’ve never needed the church MORE.

All God needs to move is a few well meaning people gathered in a room with particle board flooring and a red rug for a stage. A heart for him and a love for humanity. With that, he can change the world.

That’s all church is: God and people. That’s what church is all about: God and people. Everything else is window dressing. In my heart I feel so stirred for the next 19 years of church. For the future.

When I think about what I’m focused on right now in these crazy Covid times, I’m awakened to the reality that it’s exactly the same. We are focused on God and people. Prayer and community. Trusting in heaven, investing into people.

All we had going for us was a deep reliance on God and a genuine heart for people. We gathered and prayed and asked God for his hand to be with us. And we spent time with people. Prayer, prayer, prayer. People, people, people.

A video projector on a tripod stand. Auditorium walls of fluorescent yellow. Red antiquated carpet on the stage. My brother mixed sound. Professional, no. Excellent… on a sliding scale… maybe? Yet for our fledgling team it was one of the most exciting days of our lives.