NCS New Canaan

Founding Chapter

Getting Serious About the Kingdom of God (Kalim Andraos – 5/10/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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Kalim Andraos challenges his audience with the question “Where is the Kingdom of God in your life?”

After sharing his own incredible story of growing up in war-torn Lebanon and coming to the United States as a refugee of the civil war in Beirut, Kalim tells about his introduction to the love of Jesus through a retired missionary in Winston-Salem, NC. Andraos recounts how this missionary visited gas stations talking about Jesus to the employees. Kalim also explains not only the struggle he went through surrendering his life to Jesus (because he feared how much he might lose) but also the amazing vision in a dream that finally brought him to submission. He also describes how he has continually experienced God as kind and loving despite his sinful behavior.

Finally, Kalim shares how he and his wife now try to spread the love of Jesus through extending radical hospitality in their home and by leading mission trips throughout the world to help refugees and encourage those who support refugees. He also recounts some extraordinary experiences and people from his travels.

Kalim leaves his audience with the questions: Do you really trust God when He says to seek His Kingdom and all else will follow? Are you “all-in” for Jesus? Will you hear “well done”? How does the Kingdom of God rank in your life’s priorities?

A Musical Path to Spaceless Embrace (Dan Haseltine – 4/26/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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Dan Haseltine tells us that a songwriter’s job is to describe the world as it is and as it it could be, and he presents his vision of both.

Starting with a painfully vulnerable description of his childhood, Haseltine explains how a dysfunctional and volatile family life pushed him to music, and how music led him to mission. He transparently shares the generational brokenness that resulted in him growing up without access to a father, and then reveals how watching the Live Aid concert in 1985 transformed his understanding of rock and roll and permanently fused in his mind “music” and “mission”.

After describing the unlikely genesis of Jars of Clay at a small college in southern Illinois, Haseltine explains how the band was led to use its platform of musical success to embrace mission by starting the charity Blood:Water.

In telling this story, Haseltine reveals two lessons he has learned about humanity. First, that human beings often try to control or destroy things we do not understand, and second, that we long for “spaceless embrace” with each other but continually drive wedges between ourselves. Haseltine then offers his vision of the world “as it could be”.

Three Keys to Racial Reconciliation (Doug Goulding – 4/5/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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Doug Goulding describes two shocking incidents he witnessed at the recent NCS National Retreat in Orlando that reveal the need for racial reconciliation even among NCS brudders. After transparently confessing the anger he felt when they occurred, Doug goes on to explain three keys that he believes can help bring racial reconciliation among followers of Jesus: knowing our true identity, awareness and forgiveness. In sharing these keys, Doug vulnerably describes some of hurtful experiences with racism that he has experienced or witnessed in his lifetime.

Reaching Muslims with Love (Mohammad Yamout – 4/5/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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UPDATE: It is with a heavy heart that we share Pastor Mohammad was found dead in his car early in 2022. While the circumstances of his death remain uncertain, we know with absolute certainty that he went home in glory to spend eternity with his beloved Jesus Christ.

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Pastor Mohammad Yamout shares an update on his vision to bring 1,000 “Lighthouses” to the Middle East in order to reach Muslims by showing them the unconditional love of Jesus. Mohammad describes how conflict and civil war are opening doors to reach Muslims who are experiencing sorrow and suffering.

For those interested in supporting Pastor Mohammad’s efforts:

Write A Check In The Name Of Horizons International And Mail It To The Following Address:
PO Box 18478 Boulder, CO 80308
Or
Use The Following Link For Online Donations:
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/yamout

What Does True Friendship Look Like? (Michael Shoaf – 12/14/18 – NCS New Canaan)

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Mike Shoaf uses his own challenges during the past year to examine friendship as modeled in Scripture. He considers Jonathan’s friendship with David, Ruth’s friendship with Naomi and finally the friendship of Job’s friends. Shoaf reflects upon the various friends who “showed up” during his struggles–some looking like Jonathan and some looking more like the critical friends of Job. Shoaf explores the differences between various types of friendships, including friendships of convenience and friendships of sacrifice.

Shoaf also discusses what it has been like to be reunited with his father, who was homeless for 30 years.

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