Thursday, December 31, 2009

A Champion for Orphans



This Hogmanay/Ne'erday, I wonder if you might pray for the Loux family who have suffered a devastating tragedy this Christmas. They are from Kansas City's IHOP (International House of Prayer) - an amazing place. Derek and Renee's huge heart for the orphan has resulted in a quite exceptional ministry and a huge vision.
The excerpt is from the
Loux family blog


Derek Loux Memorial Service

On Wednesday morning December 23, 2009, Derek R. Loux (37), a husband, father, musician, and justice advocate, went home to be with the Lord after a fatal car accident in Nebraska. Derek, a faithful servant of the Lord, was husband to Renee Loux for 17 years and father to ten children, several with special needs.

The Louxs’ two biological daughters, Sophia (12) and Michaela (9), were joined by five adopted daughters from the Marshall Islands: Telma (19), Teyolla and Keyolla (twins, 18), Leeann (15), and Sana (8). Of their three adopted sons from the Ukraine, Sasha (7), Ethan (6), and Silas (3), two have Down syndrome and one has spina bifida.

Late in the evening on December 22, after attending a training seminar on how to save children out of the sex slave industry, Derek and his friend Jonathan, began their return drive home from Colorado. They hit a patch of black ice as they drove through a Nebraska snowstorm, causing their vehicle to spin out of control and flip several times. Derek was not driving the car and was sleeping in an almost completely reclined position. Derek was wearing his seatbelt, but when the car flipped, Derek was literally sucked out of his lap belt. Because he was reclined, his shoulder harness was not tight enough to hold him. Jonathan and a witness of the accident immediately performed CPR on Derek while waiting for the ambulance. Derek was given several different drugs to revive him and after an hour, he regained a pulse. The doctor’s told the Loux family that Derek had been without a pulse for over an hour and that while being transported to a larger trauma care hosptial, his heart rate began to drop and he passed away.

Derek was part of the senior leadership team of the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOP–KC) and served many areas of the missions base, including helping to pioneer Forerunner Music Academy. Before joining IHOP–KC, he served as the director of Indianapolis House of Prayer for four years. As a professional musician, singer, and songwriter, Derek recorded several CDs including Paper Religion and Fragrant Burning. He was also a worship leader and a frequent conference speaker.

Derek’s life passion was adopting and restoring orphans, particularly those with special needs. He pioneered the vision of the Orphan Justice Center, a haven of restoration for rescued orphans.

Kirk Bennett, director of IHOP–KC’s justice department, worked with Derek and the Orphan Justice Center. “Derek was a joyful husband and father. He is one of the most amazing champions of justice, adoption, and life that I have ever worked with. He was intensely and personally involved in bringing justice to many; he demonstrated the value of life to people and individuals so that they could experience their own value and freedom,” said Kirk.

Derek and Renee’s firstborn son, Josiah, a special needs child, passed away when he was 2½ years old. Josiah’s life and death opened the Louxs’ eyes to a whole new world of love for children with special needs. As a result, one of their dreams has been to buy approximately 45 acres on Blue Ridge Boulevard, Grandview, to build a “mansion of mercy” and therapy center for special needs children and the staff caring for them. Renee and the Loux children plan to continue their current efforts to help children, fulfilling this dream even in Derek’s death. For more detailed information about the Josiah project and how you can partner with the Loux family, go to www.josiahfund.org .

Mike and Diane Bickle and the entire IHOP–KC staff will greatly miss Derek Loux, his excellent leadership, and his faithful friendship. Speaking of Derek, Mike Bickle says: “He was a faithful man who loved God and cared about people. He led worship teams, and helped start Forerunner Music Academy and the Orphan Justice Center. He was an integral part of our leadership and he will be greatly missed as a dear friend.”

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone!


This wee post is to wish you a fantastic Christmas Day and joy and peace for 2010.

Today I led the Christingle service; the regular folk from our own church were definitely the minority as relatives brought their younger loved ones and friends and neighbours. There were LOADS and LOADS of visitors from our local school, which is great as a bunch of folk are praying for it. In the past 2 years the prayer meeting for the local school has gone from 2 to 3 parents to 12 to 14.

The great news about the Christingle, apart from Jesus of course, is that no-one was burned (lit candles, under 10s and narrow pews - recipe for disaster) and the church building remains intact as about 200 Christingles were lit. Mind you, the silk strips to aid younger ones to move and dance in worship to "Shine Jesus Shine" (I love to resurrect!!) were not intended for garroting and at one point, unseen by any other eyes, I removed a bright orange bandana from the baby Jesus' head in the manger.

Last weekend was the all age nativity service focussing on hope - the Christmas story is increasingly relevent to a world that seeks answers, I feel.

Tomorrow I am speaking briefly at our Christmas morning service then eight days off to relax - yayyy!

Really looking forward to spending time with friends and family. Blessings, all!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Quote of the Fortnight

Been very busy, so blogging slowed a little.

However, here is something for you to churn over, quoted by Mark Griffiths, author of "One Generation From Extinction":-

Growing churches do have an effective children's ministry because they deliberately see the children's ministry which they exercise as being very much part of the activity of the mainstream church. This integration mechanism of the children's ministry with the totality of the church activity is as important as the quality of the actual ministry itself if growth is to take place.

Peter Brierley, 2005.

More to follow....

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Try Again! - Blogging somewhere else today

Blogging at Hopeful Imagination HERE today.

Made a mistake with the URL yesterday. Hope you find it today!!