Today started the inaugural first Origins gathering... It first began with the team meeting up at "McManus Studios" which is Erwin's new base for his film and fashion projects. Erwin is an incredibly inspiring person to be around and I am so excited to see what is going to happen with the new adventures he is on. I grow in my passion for Jesus and mission every time I get to spend with him. The offices are right in the heart of the Creative Arts district of LA and was an amazing, amazing space. It was still under construction, but we met there and did a video filming of a discussion with a bunch of us about church, mission and Origins. We are trying to capture the heart of what Origins is going to be about to then put online and be sharing with others. It was great hearing and hanging again with Jeanne Stevens, April Diaz, Dave Gibbons, Eric Bryant, Margaret Feinberg, Amena Brown, Rick McKinley, Marlon Hall, Josh Fox, J.R. Kerr and the others who were there in the studios.
After that we headed off to "The Banquet on The Row" - which was part of the pre-Saturday part of Origins for people to go to and be part of. Newsong Church in both LA and Irvine who are part of Origins partnered with the Fred Jordan Mission and Rolling Hills Covenant Church. Dave Gibbons and his team (I wish I could remember all the names as there were many involved), launched Origins with a huge outdoor banquet for the homeless of what is considered "skid row" in Los Angeles. It was a collaborative effort put on with the Fred Jordan Mission. It was an honor to meet Willie Jordan(Fred Jordan's wife) and also his son and learn about what this mission has been doing in Los Angeles for the poor and needy for so many years. They had blocked off about 2 city blocks and set up outdoor tables and served a meal, had music, worship, some sharing and I don't know the exact numbers but it had to be 1,000 people at this banquet.
For a few hours earlier, people from the churches and also those who came for Origins went around the neighborhood and invited people to the banquet. One pastor who is here for Origins, said he never has come to a conference to have it start by serving the homeless. So that was an interesting perspective to hear from him. The way they arranged this also was that instead of just serving meals to the homeless, the people serving sat at the tables and ate together with them. It was quite an incredible sight.
It was also a joy to see Ian and Johnna who both became Christians in the youth and young adult ministry I was part of, that they were there at this performing with their band during the dinner part. I am so thankful to Dave and the Newsong churches and all those who coordinated this banquet tonight. And what a story about the Fred Jordan Mission as his son explained some of their history and how God has incredibly used this place through the years.
So that was Origins day one. The event part starts tomorrow morning at 10 AM. But as I was thinking of this, we are birthing Origins with a banquet for the homeless and tomorrow we are right downtown in a night club - we'll be meeting in Club Nokia. Not starting in a church building or a Christian retreat center or conference ground. But this is being launched with being in the heart of a city and what better way to kick Origins all off - with a banquet for the homeless and gathering to talk about the mission of Jesus in a night club.
I'm so looking forward tomorrow and to meeting people and learning. Going to go over to Alan Hirsch's place tomorrow night after to hang out- and really have enjoyed getting to know Alan this past year. And tomorrow meeting Deb Hirsch for the first time. So glad to be on this adventure with people on the mission of Jesus. It was a full and good day.
