One of the most interesting figures in the Bible is Peter, the Apostle.  Peter is interesting because he seems so much like all of us--incredibly human--that is, terribly inconsistent.  In the Gospels, we read about how he drops his fishing business in an instant to follow Christ. We’re not sure if we should admire his obedience to Jesus’ call or question his rash decision making.  After all who makes his life and career decisions so quickly?

Later, we read about the time when Peter saw Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee and asked to join him on the water despite the pounding wind and rain.  We think how wonderful it must have be to have faith like that and yet it is hard not to question the foolishness of a guy who would get out of a boat in a storm.  Just who does this guy think that he is?

When Christ is arrested, we read about Peter taking a sword and chopping off the ear of a slave of the high priest.  Again, do we admire the loyalty to Jesus and question how Peter seems to act first and ask questions later? In so many ways, Peter is a hard guy to figure out.

And perhaps most famously, we come to find out that despite Peter’s love of the Lord, he denies even knowing Jesus when the chips are down.  When it’s clear that Jesus is going to be killed as a criminal, his best friend simply says, “Never heard of the man.” So much for loyalty and friendship.

Despite the mixed feelings we often have for Peter, one thing is clear in the Gospels: Jesus loved Peter deeply and completely.  Christ even told Peter that upon his shoulders the entire church would be built. I have to imagine Jesus told Peter this even though he already knew Peter would later deny him at crunch time.

The biggest takeaway that when reading about Peter is that he seems like a bit of a knucklehead.  But God used him to start the Christian faith anyway. There were only a handful of Christians when Jesus died.  Today, there are more than 2 billion Christians on earth. Peter--part rock, part knucklehead--was instrumental in turning Christianity from a small group to a major force in the world.

For those of us who profess to be Christians, I believe the key lesson of Peter’s life is clear: God uses broken people to get his work done.  Peter shows us that you don’t have to be perfect to carry out God’s plan of salvation. If so, Peter never would have been the object of Jesus’ deep love nor given him so much responsibility.  Perhaps it was Peter’s role as a lovable knucklehead that caused Jesus to love him so much. Human flaws can be endearing, especially when they are found in good-hearted people.

One of the greatest traits of our God is that he uses flawed people to advance his purposes.  He uses our brokenness to make things whole. He knows our weaknesses but uses our strengths to keep the ball moving forward. If you don’t believe it, just read about Peter.

If you don't believe it, dare to join us as we seek Jesus together. Join us as we don't just attend church, but we ARE the church seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our communities.

God is assembling a team and a church of insignificant people, that He wins with.  In this equation, there is no doubt who is responsible for the victory.  If God can use a Knucklehead like Peter to win fame for His name, He can certainly use us ordinary, broken people.

This weekend we gather for our first annual Knucklehead retreat.  Knuckleheads is our term of endearment for our staff who love and serve our teams who come during Spring Break, the Summer and Fall Break.  We will have two days of training in preparation for the teams coming in.

You also qualify to be a Knucklehead if you have served with us over the years through your youth group or college group.

If you are interested in serving with us, please email Danielle at daniellew@mobilemissionsnetwork.com.
 
We also have a group of Knuckleheads that gather on Sunday mornings at Eagle Point Christian Academy at 10 a.m.: 602 S. Mounds, Sapulpa.

We are His Knuckleheads!

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This year, ​Mobile Missions Network celebrates it's 5th anniversary!

What a milestone!

What started as a ordinary group of people desiring to go outside the walls of the church has resulted in a movement of equipping and sending kids, students and adults into our communities.

The year was 2008.  Each year, we would take our students to Mission Arlington, one of the greatest ministries I have been associated with.  They have over 300 house churches.

Shortly after returning, the Lord impressed on my heart, "Why aren't you doing that here locally?  Why are you going just once a year to participate in this ministry, when you could be participating on a regular basis to reach the many that are lost and won't enter the doors of the church?"

So, we went two miles down the street from our church and fumbled through the question of asking if we could serve in a mobile community.  We of course, didn't know what this really looked like other than what we saw.  We didn't have this grand plan.  We just wanted to love on people.

That love turned into a movement...a movement of moving from complacency to those that need to be seen...a movement of moving from consumer Christianity to being a living sacrifice...a movement of ordinary believers who had no seminary degree or titles who simply wanted to live out a heart of obedience lifestyle.

So, in essence, it's been 12 years of taking the church to people.  In 2015 though, Mobile Missions Network officially was created and became a non-profit.  

What an incredible ride it has been.

We currently have three community centers in three communities.  We serve on a regular basis in 7 different mobile home communities. 

It hasn't been without it's challenges.  In 2019, the great flood flooded our community center at River Oaks, a community of people we dearly have grown to love.  It was heartbreaking to say the least, but what an incredible opportunity the Lord gave us to be His hands and feet.  

Heartbreak has also come just in simply loving broken people.  These broken people have become family and friends.  Many have called upon the name of the Lord.  Many are still far from Him which makes the journey and our purpose so necessary.

One of the joys that has been born out of the ministry of Mobile Missions Network is our church, Church Inside Out--our goal being to equip ordinary people to BE the church.  We planted the church two and a half years ago and what a journey it has been.  If you are looking for a place to feed your soul for adventure and the calling God has placed on your life, consider joining us!

We have come to grips that many in our post-Christian culture are no longer flocking to our churches, which is why we must go to them.  Our goal is not to get them to church.  Our goal is to get them to BE the church.  This comes first through salvation and second through discipleship.  Through all of this, our hope is to connect them with the church on site or an existing, partnering church.

John 1:14 says, "The word became flesh and blood and MOVED into the neighborhood."  His purpose is our purpose.  We want to be be the hands and feet of Jesus which is why we must go.

Consider how you can go with us.  Going isn't always about overseas.  It should also be in your own city.  What areas of darkness are present in your city where the light of Christ needs to be displayed?  I would love to help you pray, seek and see what opportunities the Lord can do through you outside the walls of the church!

We are anticipating another great year as we host mission teams and see many more come to know Christ.  Would you join us in praying?

Go to www.mobilemissionsnetwork.com to see how you can Pray, Give or Go with us!

If you haven't already, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.  Be on the lookout in the next week and months in how you can partner with us (and get some really cool Mobile Missions Network gear)!