It has been quite a year—a year in which the Worship Round the World project has taken me far and wide. If my statistics are correct, I believe my feet have touched something like 24 different countries this year. I worshipped with local churches in 13 of them and enjoyed times of fellowship with Christians in 7 others. Along with my co-host Tim Keesee, we have filmed 9 episodes so far and they are now in the very early stages of production.

That leaves us with just a couple more to record. Unfortunately India and Canada are in the midst of a spat and India is refusing to give visitor’s visas to Canadians until it is resolved, so we had to cancel our plans to visit the city of Chennai in November. Later this week the team will head to the distant reaches of Alaska to visit a church there, and that will be end of our travel for 2023. A trip to Mexico City in January will mark the final journey and the end of on-location filming.
We believe the project has come together well and that it will lead to both a documentary series and a book that will prove to be a blessing to many. Through them you’ll be able to travel with us to experience Christian worship in settings as diverse as urban Australia and rural Zambia, and as different as the vast and advanced metropolis of Seoul and a tiny Cambodian village that has neither electricity nor running water. You’ll see what it is to worship in the shadow of a volcano in Chile and to serve the Lord in the tropical paradise of Fiji. All that and much more.
While fundraising has gone well and we are immeasurably thankful for all that has been given, I would like to make the need known one more time. We planned the project in 2019 when the world was quite a lot different than it is now and when travel costs were substantially lower. This means we have exceeded our original budget, and this despite being as measured and frugal as reasonable.
Tax-deductible donations can be made at WorshipRoundtheWorld.com and will be processed by Frontline Missions, an organization committed to advancing the gospel in the world’s difficult places. Frontline previously produced Tim Keesee’s Dispatches from the Front series of films and it is also producing this one. (You should also take a look at Tim’s brand new book A Day’s Journey: Stories of Hope and Death-Defying Joy.)
As we press on with filming at the final locations, then recording voiceovers, writing chapters, and producing episodes, we would ask you to pray for us. Pray that we would finish strong and that the entire production would bless the church and honor the Lord.

This week’s Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by Christian Focus Publications. They are offering copies of A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689  to five winners.

What People Have Said About the Book:
Joel R. Beeke: This is an important resource for Baptists to understand their historic doctrines that were rooted in the Reformation. While I would disagree with the appendix that argues for credobaptism, many of the chapters are superb in their biblical, theological, and experiential understanding and application of the great truths of Scripture.
 
Tom J. Nettles: This commentary on the 1689 contains all the riches needed in this peculiarly relevant undertaking. It is set in its rich historical context without destroying its ongoing contemporary relevance. The authors are committed to the confession’s theological position in the context of rigorous biblical exposition. Both the content of the confession and the outlay of its exposition contains all the strengths of doctrinal catholicity, orthodoxy, evangelicalism, and Baptist thought. Each author has a deep grasp of the rich heritage of historical theology and the issues involved in canonical biblical interpretation and brings these to bear on the specific article under discussion. This volume will add richness to the weekly study of a pastor and give an invaluable book for church groups for enriching their biblical knowledge and the contextual consistency and doctrinal coherence of the inspired Scriptures.

Conrad Mbewe: I am grateful that there is a growing interest in doctrinal Christianity here in Africa and all over the world. Whereas there are many books dealing with one or two aspects of theology, it is good to have one book that gives those coming to Reformed Baptist convictions a comprehensive view of what we believe. The New exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, written by proven men in ministry, is such a resource. Let us make it available to many. The fruit will be evident for all to see for generations to come!

Ian Hamilton: It may seem odd that a convinced Presbyterian should write a warm commendation to this volume expounding the 1689 Baptist Confession. However, I do so with pleasure and seriousness. Throughout church history, confessions of faith have served the church admirably, helping to guard the church’s biblical identity and gospel calling. You do not need to agree with every sentence in this 1689 Confession to benefit greatly from its exposition by men of theological orthodoxy and pastoral integrity. Martin Bucer’s maxim, ‘True theology is not theoretical but pastoral; the end of it is to live a godly life’, is richly expounded throughout this fine volume. Read and sink your mind and heart into the rich truths as expressed in this new work.
TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning a copy of this fantastic new resource, enter your email address below.

From time to time I like to share one of our worship services from Grace Fellowship Church. In that vein, here is how we worshiped on one October Sunday morning. This week’s cast of characters included Paul as the service leader and preacher, Allie as the lead worshiper, and Patrick as the elder who prayed and read the sermon text. The band was comprised of piano, bass, guitar, and a cajone along with a second vocalist.

Welcome and Call to Worship (Paul)
Paul began the service with these words: “‘Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!’ This call to praise God comes from Psalm 113—a Psalm that glories in the fact there is no god like our God—the Creator, Saviour and King over all. So, let’s do what the Psalmist calls us to do and praise our God together!”
Singing (Allie)

“Come Praise and Glorify”

Confession and Word of Assurance (Paul)
“Isaiah 59 says, ‘Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.’ The God who saved you, knows your weakness and your failings. Maybe you got sinfully angry at your kids this week, or had really evil thoughts toward your spouse? Perhaps you secretly lusted after a co-worker or denied the Lord rather than speak up for His Name? Has He hidden His face from you? Then take hold of the promise that He will forgive all those who genuinely ask for it. Spend a few moments in silent prayer confessing your sins, and asking for His forgiveness.”
Then, after a few moments of silence: “Listen to the Word of the Lord to all those who have repented and hidden themselves afresh in Christ. ‘I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.’”
Singing (Allie)

“I Know that My Redeemer Lives”
“My Jesus I Love Thee”

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Noel)
Noel, a member of the band, led a brief prayer of thanksgiving.
Singing (Allie)

“Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat”

Pastoral Prayer (Patrick)
Patrick led the pastoral prayer and prayed for a number of matters pertaining to the life of the church.
Scripture Reading (Patrick)
Patrick read the two texts for the sermon—Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 2:14-41. He prefaced his reading by saying, “This is what holy Scripture says” and ended it by saying, “This is the word of the Lord” to which the church responded with “Amen.”
Singing (Allie)

“Come Lowly Souls (Baptism Hymn)”

Sermon (Paul)
Paul preached a sermon titled “Baptism,” the second in a series on being a healthy church. The outline was as follows:

Baptism is an initiation rite.
Baptism is an initiation rite that follows conversion.
Baptism is an invitation rite that follows conversion and leads to membership in the church.

Singing (Allie)

“It Is Well with My Soul”

Commission & Benediction
Patrick called the church to live out the truths we had encountered in the service, then said, “Receive this blessing of the Lord from His Word: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’” Then he said, “Please take just a moment of silence now to pray and ask God to seal these things to your life.”