Africa

Dressing Down // Micah

The obstacles were numerous. I didn’t speak the language, come from the ghetto or look the part. In the US I was 1 out of a million, now in a slum in Africa I stood out in every way imaginable. A vision led me there, but to execute I would have to impart the dream and develop a team. The problem? Our future change agents, at first, could not see outside the slum. They also could not see past the barriers between me, them, and our shared future. I had to close the gap... but how?

I became convinced that the secret of replacing relational distance with a bond of brotherhood was bound up in the example of Christ. To make the gospel real he became relatable. For the good of non-deities the God of the Universe took on a robe of human flesh, ate our food, spoke our language, wore our clothes and walked our streets. He was so much a man that many refused Him as God. If the God of heaven could relate to humans then surely a middle class white kid could become African.

Incarnating became a cornerstone of my time developing our first Center in Africa and a guiding principal for our work today. I can honestly say now that our greatest breakthroughs have come when our leaders have sought to immolate Christ by holding high our standards and bending low their knees. 

It is pretty humbling when you realize in John 13:3-6 that it was actually after Jesus was crowned the Supreme Leader over the Universe that we see Him dressing down and cleaning feet.

“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”  John 13:3-6

"You call me ‘Teacher' and ‘Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you." John 13:13–15

- Micah McElveen

Here As It Is... // Micah

Every once in a while we catch a glimpse of how things were meant to be, how they will one day be. A moving gesture, a restorative interaction, a perfect moment plays out and we think, “This is how it could be.” You see, we were made with capacity to both perceive what is wrong and long for a day when all things will be right. After all, we were made for earth yet designed for heaven.

This reality has been strongly impressed on my heart this week. My wife and I began it in Haiti with a gathering of Vapor Ministries leaders from Africa, Haiti and the US. This eclectic collection of Christ followers, all committed to restorative work in poverty rich places, gathered at our regional center in Haiti. Representatives from 15 distinct tribes and over 20 languages convened for a worship, training, and cross pollination event. It was other worldly. At one point I caught a glimpse of Heaven come down as Revelations 7:9 principally unfolded before us. Passionate Multi-Lingual worship broke out in this multi-ethnic gathering. We were all focused on the Worthy Lamb who came to make all things new and is now ushering in a new heaven and new earth. In that moment Heaven bent low as intense praise burst forth in one of the most unlikely places, a third world environment actively being made new. It was magical.

I have learned to cherish and pursue moments like these. Moments where the values of Heaven control the atmosphere and Christ’s presence is chiefly prized. Moments where we see Him high and lifted up yet coming down. As we reflect today on His first coming I pray we commit afreash to ushering in His second coming by pursuing his mission. May we join Him in making it “here as it is... in Heaven.”

Revelation 7:9-10 “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. They were shouting with a great roar. Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”


Mathew 6:10 “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

- Micah McElveen