As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them ...' - John 17:18. God sent Christ at Christmas. In turn, Christ sends us into the world to be his hands and feet, head and heart. Dynamic pastor Jorge Acevedo leads us on a 5-week Advent journey to discover how, where, and why we are sent. Joining him on the journey are four young clergy including Jacob Armstrong, Rachel Billups, Justin LaRosa, Lanecia Rouse, who challenge us through story, art, and Bible study. This devotional, offering four weeks of daily reflections, functions beautifully on its own or as part of the church-wide experience. The reflections, ideal for use during Advent, include Scripture, personal insights, daily challenges, and prayers.
Author Biography:
Jacob Armstrong is the founding pastor of Providence Church, a five-year-old United Methodist church plant in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, reaching 1,000 people each week. Providence's vision is to see those who are disconnected from God and the church to find hope, healing, and wholeness in Jesus Christ. Jacob is the author of Treasure: A Stewardship Program on Faith and Money and of The God Story , Upside Down , Loving Large , Interruptions , and The New Adapters . Justin LaRosa is a licensed clinical social worker and Deacon who leads the new ministry of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in downtown Tampa, Florida. He served for eight years as the Minister of Discipleship, working with a team of leaders to facilitate the process of organizing, training, empowering, and supporting laypersons. Justin is co-author, with James A. Harnish, of A Disciple's Path and A Disciple's Heart . Jorge Acevedo is the Lead Pastor at Grace Church, a multi-site United Methodist congregation in Southwest Florida. He is author of Vital: Churches Changing Communities and the World and co-author of The Heart of Youth Ministry, and is a contributor to Circuit Rider magazine, Good News magazine, and Our Faith Today . Lanecia A. Rouse is the author of numerous articles on Christian formation for Upper Room Ministries and Abingdon Press. She has held pastoral roles in the United Methodist and British Methodist Church, most recently as Project Manager of the Art Project, Houston, a therapeutic art ministry with those experiencing homelessness. Lanecia earned a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and currently lives in Houston, where she continues her ministry as a writer, artist, photographer, and workshop leader. Rachel Billups serves as the Executive Pastor of Discipleship and as part of the preaching team for Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Rachel, an Ordained Elder within the United Methodist Church, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Bible/Religion and History from Anderson University and a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School. Before joining the Ginghamsburg team, Rachel served as the lead pastor of Shiloh United Methodist, a multisite church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
