By Jim Henderson

Phil Wyman is one of the most courageous followers of Jesus I know.

Phil led his church to connect with a group whose address for Christians seems to be 667 (neighbor of the beast).

I’m talking Witches, Neo Pagans and Wiccans.

In fact Phil and his family moved from California to Salem Massachusetts so he could get closer to them.

Sounds suspiciously similar to God so loved the world kind of thinking to me – how about you?

Apparently he got a little too close for his denomination’s comfort –so they asked him to leave.

This story was so provocative that it made the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Earlier this year Phil and I made the cover of the Christian Science Monitor as well. Apparently he and I have something in common.

Phil needs a break (a.k.a. sabbatical). His friends of his are trying to raise some money to send him and his wife to France for a few weeks in August. We’re going to put in $100 and I’m asking many of you to match that or give what you can.

You can do this online right here and right now.  

P.S. Phil and his colleague John Smulo recently launched Missional Concepts Consulting and will be presenting at Off The Map Live later this year in Seattle.

At 12 p.m. CST Jim and Hemant will be interviewed on the live call-in show The Mischke Broadcast on KSTP

At 8 p.m. CST Jim and Casper will be interviewed on the live call-in show Open Line on the Moody Broadcasting Network.

Both shows are live-streamed over the Internet. Open Line will be available later as a podcast (I’m not sure about The Mischke Broadcast)

Catch up on recent articles, podcasts and webcasts

Here’s a story of how a commercial business with no overtly stated goal of helping their local community is providing their staff AND paying guests an opportunity to serve in their community while staying at their hotel.

If for profit companies can do this then why should the church be holding seminars on how to reach their community? This person provides expert advice on how to make your serving experience top notch for both the recipient and the provider