Missional living begins with leadership

I think it is rare to find leaders that we can truly look up to. One of my heroes is a pastor named Larry Kapchinsky. Besides his many years of steady pastoral leadership of the church he started in the 1980s he has put some meaning into the word “missional.”

In 1991, after the fall of Communism opened up the door to humanitarian aid to Russia, Larry gathered a group of other concerned individuals and began traveling to Russia, hand delivering basic essential to Russian orphans. As word spread about the deplorable conditions in these orphanages, the number of volunteers and volume of relief donations increased exponentially. People saw the need and were moved to action.

Larry Kapchinsky

From these beginnings, KidCare International, a relationship-based humanitarian aid organization was born. It’s mission: to equip and empower desperately disadvantaged children to lead lives of purpose, service, and leadership through sustainable programs and strategic partnerships. Larry has challenged people to “do something about it.”

In the emerging church there is plenty of talk about being missional. If missional communities are looking for role models, Larry Kapchinsky and KidCare International are a good place to start. Larry started by responding to the call of the Holy Spirit and then followed up by putting “boots on the ground.”

Sophia

This year KidCare celebrates 15 years of service. Last Friday night they held their annual fundraising dinner and Larry invited me to attend. I was moved by the stories. In Arusha, Tanzania, 12-yr.-old Sophia knows nothing of the cost of food, gasoline, or the housing market crisis. Her only question was, “What will I do now my mother is dead?” Sophia is an AIDS orphan. She had been sold to a 60-yr.old man with 9 other wives. She gathered unusual courage and ran away, escaping to a shelter supported by KidCare. There she found hope and encouragement to continue her education.

So you want to be missional and you are not sure where to start? Study KidCare International. Learn from them and participate with them.