Tim and Lianne Kernan lead the London International Christian Church (www.londonchurch.org.uk) and are a dear brother and sister to many of us here in Eugene. In Late 2006/early 2007 a small handful of disciples (about 15) from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo courageously decided to join the Sold-Out Discipling Movement family of churches and began a new congregation. (read related article) The Eugene church along with the Portland church in February of 2007 opted to send Tim Kernan to Kinshasa to stabilize and encourage this new fledgling congregation. Amidst some very challenging moments (even life threatening) Tim persevered and began working with Lola Lof, the leader of the group of sold-out disciples there in Kinshasa. (Read Lola Lof’s article about Tim’s first visit) Tim recounts these life-changing and impacting days spent with the brothers and sisters in Kinshasa in his article “Heartfelt Letters From Africa” which is highly recommended reading – it will give anyone very good perspective on the conditions in DRC that our brothers and sisters contend with there daily.

In December of 2007 Eugene along with Syracuse, Phoenix and the London church, supported Tim in a second trip to Kinshasa, to organize and plan a workshop for the church there (which by this time was having some 80 people in attendance on Sundays!). This workshop God blessed tremendously as 240 people eager to hear the word of God attended this event! (Read the article).

This year we donated $3000 to the work in Kinshasa which the London church (now led by the Kernans) is overseeing. This money is going to support the full time staff there who also are responsible for providing food for the needy brothers and sisters. We are so grateful to God in this privilege of giving to the saints. The following is a letter of thanks written by the London church leadership group to the saints in Eugene in the style of the New Testament epistles. By all this we are every encouraged and our God is certainly honored,
To Him be all the glory!
Jeremy Ciaramella
Evangelist,
Eugene Oregon

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Timothy, Jacobus, Olugbeminiyi, and Philip servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Eugene, together with Jeremy and Amy and all the bible talk leaders and administrators.
Grace and peace to you from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we know of your faith in Christ and the love you have for all the saints – the faith and love that spring up from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it.

Lianne and I are reminded of your generosity time and again. Not only your generosity to us when we were among you, or even how you support all of our websites, but your generosity to pay for the planting of the Kinshasa church and also the continued watering of it. I cannot wait to see your joy in heaven when you meet the precious brothers and sisters in West Africa who are your fruit and your crown.

You have not run this race in vain so see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow spiritualism, autonomy and a watered down standard of discipleship. For you, brothers, are imitators of God’s church in the City of Angels which is in Christ Jesus: you suffered from your own countrymen the same things that that church suffers. We are all part of one body and we suffer and celebrate together.

After your generosity in Eugene last summer, Lianne and I did go up to London. We were personally unknown to the churches in England. We went in response to your faith as well as the faith of all the churches and set before them the gospel that we saw preached in Eugene. But we did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders. As for those who seemed to be important – whatever they were makes no difference to us; God does not judge by external appearance – those men added nothing to our message. We ought to have been commended by them, for they used to preach the same message. Sadly today they have stopped preaching total commitment. Even though we are both nothing in London and in Eugene we are not in the least inferior to these “super ministers”.

The saints who responded to our message in our little church here have stayed true to the faith and together God has blessed us with sixteen baptisms, restorations and move ins since the Gathering Conference six months ago.

I rejoice greatly in your concern for the saints in Kinshasa. They are so appreciative of your sacrifice! We also appreciate your prayers and funding of Lola’s upcoming mission team that will be announced soon, God willing.
Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus.

I, Timothy type this greeting on my own blackberry.

Lianne, Phil, Niyi, Steve, Ola, Anthony, Dale, Jeanette, Megan, Trista, and all the disciples here send their greetings!

Greet baby Paisley for us, she was born to awesome parents.

Greet the Hacketts, true Americans in whome there is nothing false, thank them for their sacrifices for God.

Greet Ryan, and also Iyonna, who is finally his girlfriend.

Greet Dustin & Amanda who are going on the New York mission team.

Greet Chuck and Elizabeth, who are so special to us, as they go on the Washington DC mission team.

Greet Dan who will prayerfully be coming to the Gathering.

Greet our Spanish brother Jesus along with his wife Crystie, who have been so instrumental for God.

Greet Rydsted and Courtney and congratulate them on their marriage!

Greet Folake who has returned from her perilous journey.

Finally Jeremy we cannot wait to hear your awesome preaching here in London at the Gathering in October, God willing!

London and Eugene, along with the other churches are one church with one baptism and one faith.