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gophumek — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:00:15 +0000

A Man Named Chen Si

gophumek — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:39:15 +0000

A Man Named Chen Si

You may have never heard of Chen Si. He’s a man on a mission and a great example for Christians everywhere, even though; he himself might not follow Christ. Chen Si works in Nanjing, China as a manager in a transportation company. On his days off, Saturdays and Sundays, Chen Si calls the Nanjing Bridge his office. His duty, to save lives. In China, suicide is the leading cause of death among 15-34 year old men. The Nanjing Bridge has been nicknamed the “suicide bridge” because of the certainty of death after one jumps over its railing. This notoriety has come about because more and more people have been using it as a jumping spot over the past few years.A little over three years ago, Chen Si watched a news report about a man on a bridge in another city. That man wanted to end his life and was encouraged to jump by onlookers. Chen Si says his heart was hurt after watching that news report. He didn’t just feel sorry, he set out to do something about this terrible problem. Right then and there, Chen Si decided to patrol the local jumping spot, the Nanjing Bridge. It’s there that he finds potential jumpers and saves their lives.

It is not difficult for Chen Si to identify those who want to end their lives. “A person walks without spirit.” he said in a 2004 New York Times article. He has talked many people out of suicide; those are the easy ones. He has had to tackle others to stop them from jumping. There have been a few times when he has held onto a jumper and had them fall from his grasp to die in the freezing waters of the Yangtze River far below. Chen Si has never given up his mission. I commend him for that. I hate to admit it, but I probably would have given up as soon as one person fell from my grasp to their death. I couldn’t take the guilt.

Some of us might think that stopping someone from committing suicide is enough. That would be like Christians thinking, “If we just get someone into our church building, everything will be just fine.” Chen Si says there has to be more than just stopping someone from jumping.
In Louisa Lim’s National Public Radio story on Chen Si, he stated “When I save people, I don’t want to just cheat them into living another day.” By that, he means he will not save someone from death and then send them on their way with a fond farewell. Chen Si helps to change life circumstances. He wants to change whatever hurt and pain that exists in the lives of those he saves. Not only that, some of those he has saved, have gone on to help him save others. He is reproducing himself. There’s another great lesson for Christians.

Chen Si is saving lives. He is helping people with their heartaches and pain. He not only works on a bridge, he is building a bridge for every person he saves. He is taking people where they are at, and helping them span the pain and despair that lies in the river of life before them. He is helping them cross over to the other side where a new life exists. Chen Si does this at great expense to himself, not just financially, but emotionally too. People all over his province have heard about his ability to give hope. His cell phone rings at all times of the night. In addition to his life saving duties on Saturdays and Sundays, he feels the pressure of giving hope to those he can’t even meet. This takes a toll on his marriage (his wife and child do not like his hope giving work). This takes a toll on his health (he now chain smokes). Chen Si needs help.

I see Chen Si as a person who is doing God’s will, whether or not he is a Christian. I want to stand by him, prayerfully, financially, and maybe one day physically. I want to help take some of the everyday pressure away from him. In the very near future, I will be heading up a new ministry in which we hope to have our own mission efforts. I see us helping Chen Si in whatever way we can. I’ve read about Chen Si in news reports on National Public Radio and in the New York Times. Those are not places where a Chinese national would announce his allegiance to Christ. So, he may or may not be a Christian. If not, he should be connected to Christians. Many of us have access to Christians in China. We can help him pass some of those he saves, into the hands of those who personally know the Christ who saves eternally. This would be beneficial for those people Chen Si saves, and for Chen Si himself.

The life of Chen Si is an inspiration to many. In addition to where I’ve read his story, it has also been reported by BBC. Each time Chen Si’s story has been reported, bloggers, poets, and others have been inspired to speak out on his behalf. Chen Si has also encouraged me to do more for others. If I see someone who needs food, drink, clothes, love or friendship; I need to offer those things. As a Christian, I’ve invited people to the church building, but what else have I done? I haven’t been so willing to get dirty by being involved in the lives of those I invite. I’ve come to learn that bridges need to be built all the way across the river. No more of this building a bridge halfway. I want to build bridges that connect people to Christ AND to a life filled with changed circumstances. I want to help eliminate hurt and pain. I may not always succeed, but I need to try.

Chen Si brilliantly reflects Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:34-41:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Of course, let us invite people to church and study the Bible with them. However, it’s oftentimes better to just be the church to those who need help. Life can be very painful. Let us provide for those physical and emotional needs that can often help make life less difficult. It’s not going to be easy. Chen Si knows that, but he still keeps on going.

Article copyright by Brian Humek 2007

About Brian, our lead missionary

gophumek — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:38:52 +0000

Hi,

I’m Brian. I’d like to tell you a bit about our family. I grew up in Illinois as a young boy and moved to Tulsa, OK in 4th grade. I lived in Tulsa until early in my 9th grade year. I then moved with my Dad to Dallas, TX. I have been in Texas ever since. My life was a bit turbulent as a youth. By 7th grade, I had witnessed three divorces by various sets of parents. There were attempted suicides by one parent. During my 5th grade year, the police were at our home almost every weekend. While I lived with that set of parents, I and the rest of the neighborhood heard the violent arguing which resulted in the police coming over to say hello quite often. That time in 5th grade really brought me closer to Christ. I spent a lot of time with folks from the Park Forest South Christian Church. If not for them, things would have been mighty bad for my Mom and I.

Bouncing around between parents, I was able to take a tour of 12 different schools in 12 years. The only school I ever attended two years in a row was Mac Arthur High School in Irving, TX. While at Mac Arthur, I lettered in track and football. Not really. Okay, I was a computer geek. Not really. If the truth needs to be known, I basically just made it through four years of school.

Years after leaving Mac Arthur High School, never having taken much more than 18 college credit hours, I began attending the Center for Christian Education. This is what the churches of Christ would call a preaching school. Others would call it seminary. I graudated from the Center in 2004. I began attending Dallas Christian College later that year and graduated in 2005. In early 2006, I enrolled in Lubbock Christian University working on a Masters of Science in Bible.

I have had occassions to preach in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas. I’ve worked at the North Irving and Airport Freeway congregations in the Dallas area. In 2006 I attended a church planting discovery lab with my wonderful bride Mary Ann.

Mary Ann was born in Dallas, TX. She had some of her own childhood trauma. At a very young age, her father left home, never to return. She was raised by her mom and was eventually blessed when a loving step-father came into her life. Mary Ann graduated from Nimitz High School in Irving, TX.

She is a stay at home mom and homeschools our only son Ezekiel. Mary Ann loves to read books on Christian living by such authors like Beth Moore, Stormie O’Martin, and Elizabeth George. Mary Ann loves to watch movies if time ever permits. Some favorite television shows of hers are Saved by the Bell, Law & Order, and the Waltons. She also loves watching traditonal festivals that showcase other cultures.

Before having our son, Mary Ann was assistant manager for a warehouse. Years later, she is still remembered fondly as one of their best workers ever. If you ever want to bring back some good memories for Mary Ann, ask her about the time in Amarillo when she was a star on the radio. She worked part-time as a hostess for a Chinese restaurant. Her boss had her go to a Spanish radio station and talk about the restaurant for 15 minuntes. It’s sometimes hard for me to talk about God for 15 minutes. I can’t imagine how she talked for 15 minutes on a Chinese restaurant. But I’ve got the proof, it’s all on tape.

Our son Zeke is a wonderful boy and very smart. He is the most creative person I know. He loves adventures and can make friends with anyone, if he wants to. He even writes stories like his Dad. Oh, did I say that I write picture books. I think I mentioned that somewhere already. Well, I’m not sure if that was too much for you or not. Anyway, email us if you’d like even more information about us or Zach’s House and how you can belong.

Yours in Christ,

Brian Humek

Our Core Values

gophumek — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:15:14 +0000

Core Values

Authenticity - We want to follow the example of Jesus. He was real. There were times when he was upset, sad, happy, loving, demanding, and compassionate. As his followers, we will have the same emotions. Those who refuse to follow Jesus, or are confused about Jesus, also have these same feelings. At Zach’s House, we want to know how you are feeling. We don’t want the typical churchy answer, “I’m fine.” We’ve been involved in too many churches where that’s the only answer ever given when someone is asked, “How are you doing?” Most of the time, that’s a lie. We want people involved with Zach’s House to be able to admit when there are struggles. We want to create an atmosphere in our friendships that make people want to tell us when things really stink, even if it is their own fault. The biggest pet peeve around Zach’s House is not being real.

Zach’s Question: Am I being real with others and do I help create an atmosphere where others can be real with me?

Belonging – We believe one belongs to Zach’s House when they simply hang around enough to be recognized by name. However, there is a deeper belonging.This deeper belonging is to personally belong to the Lord and His church. We believe this is done through the grace of God by the sending of His son to die on the cross for each one of us. By believing in his death, burial, and resurrection and understanding your need for a savior, you are ready to be baptized into His death. At baptism you come into contact with the blood of Christ, His blood washes away your sins and then you receive the Holy Spirit. This baptizing is done by total immersion of the believer underneath water. For information on infant baptism click here.

Zach’s Question: Am I a person who belongs to a faith community? (committment) Or to the Lord? (deeper committment) If not, should I?

Love – We believe that small things done with great love can change the world. At Zach’s House, people are more than numbers on a piece of paper. The first step to real love is understanding and accepting people for who they are. The question arises, “ What’s love got to do with it? Everything.

Zach’s Question: Am I demonstrating love to others through the use of my time, talents & resources?

Truth – We believe the man who allowed Jesus to be sentenced to death, Pontious Pilate, had a legitimate question when he asked, “What is truth?” We believe that truth is revealed through a relationship with Christ. We also actively engage anyone who believes many roads lead to truth. We want to hear you out. We are not your judge and jury but fellow humans who exist with you on the journey. While we’re discussing truth, let’s discuss that journey also.

Zach’s Question: Am I a person who accepts or denies the truths of Christ and does my life model that choice?

Restoration/Beauty – We believe that God is beautiful and His creation reflects His beauty. All of us are beautiful in God’s eyes. We want to help people rediscover their beauty given them by God. We want people to be restored to God’s orignial intention. We were made to have life, and to have it abundantly. We, at Zach’s House, work hard to help restore beauty to this world through our relationships with one another and with God’s creation.

Zach’s Question: Is the beauty of my life evident in restored relationships with others and with God?

Community – We grow when life is lived together, in the context of community. While we live in community, we truly learn to love others; put others first and be the church as Christ originally intended. Read a devotional about our need for community. Click here.

Zach’s Question: Am I living life in the context of community or isolation?

View our beliefs

What We Believe

gophumek — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:12:59 +0000

A note of inspiration to the Cascade Hills Church of Christ (church planters Jason Campbell and Dwayne Hilty) for their wording of what I as a lead missionary for Zach’s House put forth as our distinctive beliefs. Much of what is here originates in written form with them.

Core Christian Beliefs

The following represents the core of what we teach, all deriving from what God has revealed about Himself through the Bible:

God the Father is Creator of heaven and earth. He is sovereign over all creation.

The son of God, Jesus Christ, is Lord. He is God in the flesh. He is the Savior of sinful humanity. He saves us through his death on the cross and by raising from the dead three days later.

At the end of time, whevever that may be, there will be a judgement day.

God, through the Holy Spirit, comes to live within the believer at baptism and empowers the church (which is made up of people) for works of service.

Christian community is essential for Christ followers to be fed spiritually, have true fellowship with one another, and to grow in our Christian walk.

Scripture, although often taken out of context, is the supreme authority for the church. It is a fountain of knowledge about God’s love and compassion. The scriptures are a reliable guide to living a Christian life.

Restoration Principles

All communities of faith have a disticnt heritage Ours derives from the Restoration branch of Protestant Christianity in America. Our tradition has sought to restore the core beliefs and practices of the early churches as recorded in the New Testament. There is much disagreement on what these are, but we don’t think it should be that problemeatic. Some of the key elements of this effort are outlined below:

We desire unity when it comes to matters of faith. We strive for freedom in matters of opinion. Simply put, we want to love everybody as Jesus does.

Leadership structure of the church includes elders and ministry servants.

The Lord’s supper (which we also call Communion) is observed every Sunday.

We teach baptism as an essential part of the conversion process.

View our core values

Home Groups

gophumek — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 08:54:56 +0000

This page tells you about our small group communities. We want to make these groups “real” or “fun” or ”deeply spiritual” so you’ll see there are groups here for everyone.

But just in case you want to have “real” “fun” while being “deeply spritual,” you can help us create that group.

Group One - ”Just Men”

Group Two – “Women Hanging Out”

Group Three – “Cubs Fans at Buffalo Wild Wings”

Group Four – “Pizza and Life Talk @Lushaj’s”

Group Five – “Late Afternoons w/Families and kids”

Group Six – “Stay at Home Mom’s Playground Time”

Communities

gophumek — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 08:53:17 +0000