Land of Thousand Hills Coffee One Good Cup of Joe

It was an early Texas morning the musty smell of rain was in the wind across the parking lot of bent tree bible fellowship in Carrollton, Tx.  It was the second day of the Catalyst Dallas and to truthful I was dragging I needed caffeine to perk up my body.  I work overnights and I am used to sleeping having just hit the pillows at the time of day.  So even though I had some sleep the night prior my fleshly body was yelling sleep.  Well Land of Thousand Hills came to my rescue in the form of a free cup of coffee.  It was bold and full of body.  It has the power to take of the best roast of Starbucks, Kona, and any of the other blends.  But Land of Thousand Hills in more than just a cup of Joe.  It one way in the consumer culture you can be Jesus to the least of us on this rock we call Earth.  Like many other groups in the free trade market place Land of Thousand Hills was born out of the genocide and war of the mid 90's in Rwanda.  

" In 2001, Jonathan Golden, founder of Land of a Thousand Hills, recognized a simple and tangible opportunity to make a difference in the reconciliation of the Rwandan people. This realization led Golden to start a coffee company that pays a fair wage to the farmers of Rwanda, helps them with their basic needs, and brings a quality product to coffee lovers.

The introduction of specialty coffee to the healing fields of Rwanda proved to be an uncommon opportunity for once warring countrymen to not only rebuild their homesteads, but to work together toward lasting peace. A commitment to excellence in coffee has brought dignity and hope to a nation that history suggested would never recover.

Now, Land of a Thousand Hills has reached beyond the borders of Rwanda to bring dignity and hope to Haiti, Thailand, and other parts of the globe. We partner with farmers and local community leaders to develop the coffee into a sustainable income, pay a just Living Wage, and strive to further meet the needs of the people. When you buy Land of a Thousand Hills, you are receiving coffee that is 100% Arabica, fairly traded, and roasted fresh. Your excellent morning cup is offering hope to these developing coffee communities with each purchase. "

Land of Thousand Hills motto is Drink Coffee Do Good.  I want everyone to take a look and see how your cup of Joe and have a deeper impact on the least of us.

This Video was shot live at Catalyst Dallas 2012

If you want a chance to win some Land of Thousand Hills Coffee Click Here Til Jun. 3rd 2012

Erin McGinnis is the Media Arts and Services Coordinator for LHF.

Cataylst Dallas Retrospective: Day 2: Main Event

Well dear friends, this is Erin reflecting on the second day of Cataylst Dallas did not disappoint.  This year's theme is "Be Present," and we were met bright and early at 7:00am by the Catalyst Be Present Bees with a "Lonestar State" breakfast (breakfast taquitos) and welcome to the 3500 attendees.  DJ Promote kept us busy while waiting for the seating to open; he has a divine talent for mixing tunes that enterianed both young and old.  Check him out on his blog at http://www.thepartystartsnow.blogspot.com/.

Video 1: AdoptionJourney.org

We started the morning off in worship lead by the Cataylst House worship band and it was truley awsome.  All the songs lead us into moments of reflection with the speakers.  They taught us to be "Be Present."  One of the best take-aways from the speakers was the following quoate, "It is out of our failures that gain our greatest triumphs." --John Maxwell.  Next Andy Stanley took the stage, and like previous times at Cataylst brought a messege that made you think out the things in your life that have overlooked. "Your only unique rolein this world is father or mother to your child. Everything else, you can bereplaced." and "Great leaders create an environment where they get to stand back and watch it work without them." were some of his best.

Video 2: Trade of Innocents

Next came the grossest thing ever.  The audience made a giant ball of ABC gum\.  This brought a new denifition to world of fellowship.  They had each of us chew some Big League Chew and the pass it down (with rubber gloves) to centerstage, where it formed it massive gum pile. And yes, a guy took a bite and chewed it for a prize.

Video 3: Land of 1000 Hills

We returned from our dinner break to the musical stylings of Gungor and the after dinner teaching of Matt Chandler.  God thru him brought a strong messege on our "Be Present" Theme.  "Ministry is a STUPID trade-off for a relationship with Jesus Christ." and  "God doesn't have to force people to love Him; He just shows them who He is." -- Matt Chandler

After this amazing day of inspirational teaching, I felt a. that my toes had been stepped on, and b. my eyes had been opened. It was a refreshing experience that still fuels me right now.

Video 4: The Last Letter

Erin McGinnis is the Media Arts & Services Coordinator for LHF, and freely admits his faith isn't strong enough to take a bite out of a massive ABC gum ball, no matter how great the prize.

Live from Fuller Seminary with Brother Ben, Weekend and Day 6

This weekend was an awesome experience. I rented a car and drove all around the Los Angeles area. I visited downtown LA and the west side including Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
No doubt this is a beautiful place that God has created but I couldn't stop thinking about consumerism, commercialism, exploitation, idealisms and hurting that is visible to the naked eye. This is Culture World USA and much of what we do, say, watch, act and respond is associated with and connected to this area. You know....I wondered quite often in the midst of things, where is God in all of this? Is He at work in the world in Los Angeles, Burbank, Orange County, Saddleback....GLADEWATER? What if we bought into the "Jesus thing" as well as we buy into the latest fads and fashions? Could we transform little ol' Gladewater? What if other churches just came up beside us and we worked together instead of competing against each other? Lots of questions. If you have answers, let me know or call collect!

In a sad note, I was in Beverly Hills when Whitney Houston's story surfaced. Even sadder were the thrill seekers that arrived on the spot just after they announced her demise. It was a feeding frenzy. I was saddened by humanity.

On a happier note, I was able to go to the Saddleback Church to hear Pastor Rick Warren preach and attend their service. He is the author and presenter of the program "40 Days of Purpose" that we are studying and involved with at LHF. I am bringing home many ideas from their church to throw at you for our context of their ministry ideas. Be ready!

This weeks course deals with Global Leadership Implications to Ministry. It is the first half of the course. The second half will be building a plan of action for myself with implications to LHF. Here are some of the notes from today's lecture that are relevant to LHF:

Major trends in global ministry:
1. Globalization
2. Shifting of global economic and political powers (Zakharia 2010:_______)
3. Technological innovation
4. Changing World demographics
A. worldwide migration
B. growing urban population (Viv Grigg:______________)
C. growing youth population
5. Climate of post-modernity (How can we reconcile the presence of evil with absolute goodness?)
6. Climate of “religious pluralism” and “secularism” (Acts 4:10-12)
7. The Gospel from everywhere to everyone


Which one resonates in my context (LHF)?

Which one word stands for my context?
Experience, Authenticity, Dialogue, Community, Tangible, Adapting [Email me back and tell me which one you would choose.]

What is urgent? Make disciples----how can we get leaders in place? Can they see authenticity in their life? How do you do discipleship to post-moderns?
RELATIONSHIP

There is no “one-way” to lead in terms of global leadership. It’s not easy.

So, what’s unique in my context?

Church Unique by Will Mancini
--we are unique in our context
--a church should focus on developing strengths rather than enhancing limitations
--vision needs to be a lifestyle
--discover your kingdom concept
--develop your concept
--Distinction between “talking about the organization to the people” and “talking to people about the organization.” [:20]
[:47] invest in the values not the method
[:53] leader’s role requires stewarding…draw attention to this uniqueness
[:84] ascertaining the Kingdom concept
local predicament
apostolic esprit
collective potential
[:197-198] vision advancement
[:208] don’t align hearts but attuned their hearts
[:233] Integration Model

I don't expect each of you to understand all of my note taking, but if you can just "take-away" one thing: RELATIONSHIP is the key to vision success.
I will be praying for LHF to encounter such a spirit of enthusiasm...I can already see God's hand at work in much of what is happening now at LHF.

See you on the journey,
Ben

Rev. Ben Bright is the Logistics & Administration Pastor for LHF