Ekko Magazine Volume 1

EKKLESIA

KOINONIA

VOLUME ONE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bryan H. Kim

CREATIVE DIRECTOR & DESIGNER Heidi Min

COPY EDITOR Shirley Han

ART DIRECTOR James Kim

PHOTOGRAPHER Ariel Shim

WRITER Sarah Park

PHOTOGRAPHER Bryan Yun

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Isaac Chong

CALLIGRAPHER Jenny J. Kim

Ekko Magazine is a yearly publication. The articles published reflect the opinion of Ekko Church.

Printed in the United States of America on FSC certified uncoated paper. Š 2014 Ekko Church. All rights reserved. All materials in this magazine may not be reproduced, transmitted or distributed in any form without the written permission of Ekko Church.

Ekko Church reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material and to edit this material prior to publication.

WELCOME

I

n 2008, on Thanksgiving weekend, nine brave souls came together to worship and break bread.

We entered the rest found only in the presence and in the teachings of Jesus Christ. We did not know much about planting a church or how to make it grow. As a matter of fact, it did not even cross our minds to build something. As cliché as it sounds, we believed building a church was not our primary agenda. Instead we sought to become a church that had Jesus as its Head—as Savior and Lord.

We are convinced that the church is the most effective organic environment for Jesus to work.

We are convinced that the church is Jesus’ first choice in delivering his Kingdom to the World. We believe in the church.

“Make love your aim…”–1 Corinthians 14:1

We worshipped. We opened up. We confessed. We ate. We laughed. We cried. We listened—to God and to each other.

Therefore as we reflect back on the journey thus far, we are not at all surprised but rather we are inspired by the kind of people that have called this church their home. Like the earlier years, people are making brave and courageous decisions to repent, submit, and open their hearts up to God and others again—to love and be loved. We have seen marriages restored, families reconciled, commitments made to follow Christ, and baptisms. People are simply taking God and His Word seriously and joyously.

Ekko quickly became a breeding ground for healing, revelation, and freedom. God began to work on our inner lives, and in turn, our outer lives were beginning to look different even though nothing had really changed. We started to change.

Everything looked different.

Ekko is about entering the Story of God—through Jesus Christ. In turn, our stories are reframed and restored. With the church at large, our local tribe seeks to write a collective story that is worth reading, worth inviting people into, and worth giving to God.

We began to fall more in love with Jesus, His church, and grew in compassion for our families and our world. We began to love… more and more.

We pray that you feel welcome here. We hope that you will find a home in His Church. We trust that if you stay, this “home” will be a blessing to you and you to it.

It is within this context of quietness and safety, of listening and being heard—to Jesus and to each other—that a church was birthed. We named it Ekko (see what this means on page 36).

We invite you to go on this adventure with us.

Welcome to Ekko.

Bryan H. Kim & Michelle Kim Founding Pastors of Ekko Church

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REFLECTIONS FROM OUR PASTORS

I am one indebted person.

Never has debt weighed so easily on me. Never have I been so delighted to owe so much to so many.

Paul writes, “Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along.”–Romans 13:8

Reflecting on this past year, I feel such a deep sense of gratitude for the mounting debt of love Ekko has been running up. I see how the love of Christ—rather than guilt, shame, and a litany of “don’ts”—inspires and convicts so many of you to live out more holy, humble, compassionate, courageous, and generous lives.

A stack of thank you notes piles higher and higher in my heart. I have just too many people to thank that I cannot keep up! In being loved by you (I simply cannot list you all individually), I have experienced God’s grace and have been shaped more into the image of His Son. I pray that my love for you may do the same.

I am so indebted to you, my dear brothers and sisters! But it is the best kind of debt, and I don’t plan on getting rid of it anytime soon.

Janette Ok | Pastor

“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”–John 13:34-35 I measure the growth of our church by how well we love.

Personally, my family has been overwhelmed with the amount of love the church has shown us. I have come home multiple times to an empty sink because members of the church have washed our dishes for us. People volunteer to babysit in their work clothes to accommodate our schedule. People write us notes, e-mails, and even poems of encouragement letting us know how grateful they are for us. People constantly bring us goodies and treats that we must now go on a strict diet. In times of trouble, the body of Ekko has been there to provide an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on for other members of the body. We cheer for one another and grieve with each other. We are simply loving one another.

I look forward to the next six years when our love for one another spreads to Los Angeles, the rest of the United States, and to the ends of the earth.

TJ Moon | Intern Pastor

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME ONE 2014

WELCOME LETTER PASTOR’S REFLECTIONS CONGRATULATIONS

05 06 08

EKKO KIDS 99 BALLOONS RECESS

38 46 47

THE DREAM

10

THE PRACTICE: NEIGHBOR

50

MARY & JOSEPH INITIATIVE

52

THE CALL: CHRISTLIKENESS

14 MAKING SPACE

54

THE BIGGER PICTURE

16

THE BELIEFS

18

EKKO ADVANCE SELAH DOULOS STORY

63 64 66

THE VISION: LOVE

20 PARTICIPATING IN EKKO

68

THE HOPE: RENEWAL

70

FACES OF EKKO LESLIE LIM

72

STAFF

74

SPECIAL THANKS

76

CONTACT

77

HOME & HEALING

22

THE CULTURE: HUMILITY

30

THE MOVEMENTS SPRING & SUMMER FALL & WINTER

THE MISSION: HOME THE EKKOSYSTEM

32 33

34 36

CONGRATULATIONS

Bishop Todd Hunter

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lessed are you Ekko Church! The Lord has been with you— sponsoring your success, anointing you, giving you gifts, stirring up the power and authority of the kingdom of God within you and transforming your souls! What an awe-inspiring six years!

As you cooperate with God in His work of building this reality among you and as you look ahead to the next five years, I would like to pass on to you a vision.

In Jesus’ day, the people said of His teaching: we have never heard anyone speak with such authority. In addition, Jesus’ works of power caused whole cities to change their way of life.

Imagine those scenes being played out in our over-indebted, over-busy, and over-stressed lives.

Especially with today’s tech-toys, maybe Peter missed the bit about the rooster… too busy Tweeting out his loyalty to Jesus. Matthew, immersed in his Facebook wall, is late to the party at his own house!

That playful twist on technology is important, every advance in human life is simultaneously a spiritual challenge. For instance, fire. We can warm our hands and cook our food—and also burn our enemies at the stake!

On and on that old story goes up to our gadget-filled, app-driven, wireless world. Every Jesus-follower has to battle competing claims on their life. The Roman Empire versus Jesus.

The Industrial Revolution versus Jesus. The Hand-held Device Age versus Jesus.

What is the pace of life doing to the human soul?

In Southern California, all around us are people whose lives mirror the frustrating reality of Jesus’ friends who were exhausted from fishing all night—throwing, tugging and manipulating heavy nets, but catching nothing. Over the next five years let us help them hear Jesus say, “Throw the net on the other side!” It may lead to a huge catch of the spiritual growth and refreshment Jesus had in mind when he said: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”–Matthew 11:29 If your soul cries out, if your heart is thirsty—in these next six years, learn to live life together in the goodness of God; learn to walk in the gentle peace and gracious pace of Jesus.

CONGRATULATIONS

Reverend Peter Marshall

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to all of you at Ekko Church!

In a time when much about American Christianity and the Church is in flux and change, it is encouraging to remember that we worship Him who said “I am THE truth,” not “I am a truth among other truths.”

“Our search for reality and authenticity in life and relationships is rooted in Him, through whom the universe and everything in it was created.”–John 1:3 In Him we are also linked with all the great American Christian leaders of the past—particularly the Pilgrims and Puritans—who came to America not so much for religious freedom but to put into practice the Gospel of Christ in the New World, and thereby create a Bible-based commonwealth that would provide liberty and justice for every soul. That vision is still intact.

May you rediscover it in your own lives… may the Lord Jesus draw you ever closer to himself!

EKKO’S FIRST MEETING | 2008

The late Reverend Peter Marshall (1940-2010) was a Presbyterian minister known nationally for his books and teachings on Christian growth and American Religious History. This letter is from an e-mail sent to Pastor Bryan on December 5, 2008. Rev. Peter Marshall was gracious enough to prayerfully and prophetically exhort us as we launched Ekko Church. May he rest in God’s peace and may his prayers for revival in America be answered in our time.

THE DREAM

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs... All who believed were together and had all things in common... Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Excerpts from Acts 2:42–47

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THE CALL CHRISTLIKENESS

THE VISION LOVE

THE CULTURE HUMILITY

THE MISSION HOME

THE PRACTICE NEIGHBOR

THE HOPE RENEWAL

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BAPTISM

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THE

CALL

CHRISTLIKENESS

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning.

He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.

Romans 8:29

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THE BIGGER PICTURE UNDERSTANDING GOD THROUGH THE STORIES HE TELLS

WORDS BY PASTOR BRYAN H. KIM PHOTO BY JAMES KIM

I

remember visiting a gallery, anxious to see some masterpieces from a renowned artist that was being featured. At one point, I stepped extremely close to a particular piece out of my curiosity and desire to investigate its methods and constructs. Then came a stern warning from a museum personnel, “Sir, you are too close, please take a few steps back.”

God is a master artist. He’s been trying to tell us the full Story. But the temptation has been to dissect bits and pieces of the Story rather than be immersed in its entirety.

Sometimes when you take a few steps back, the painting observes you—it speaks to you and its Story comes alive and moves you. You see the bigger picture. It is in that moment that we are offered understanding and we are able to “get it.” Some call this revelation, but I think it is more than that—I think it is an invitation to understand the person behind the masterpiece. You may experience that rare, but beautiful, and possibly life-altering moment where you fully experience what the artist had intended.

In Ekko’s six years, we have covered three books of the Bible: Exodus, Matthew, and Genesis.

Some folks may wonder why I choose to go through entire books of the Bible. Studying Scripture in this

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way enables us to intentionally take a few steps back and observe the larger story that God is inviting us to see. I believe it is one of the most effective and intimate ways we can get to know God and where He is coming from.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Each book has taken about two years to get through, diligently being covered almost every Sunday, and what a journey it has been! In hearing and wrestling with these stories as a tribe, we have slowly been invited into the grand narrative—the bigger picture. These texts have been foundational in Ekko’s formative years. Like nutrients found only in a mother’s milk, we have been nourished through the lessons learned from these grand narratives. These books have informed our young tribe and they continue to form us ever so naturally into the image of our Savior. Therefore, I invite you to take a few steps back with us again in 2015 as we behold another masterpiece—1 Corinthians.

THE BIBLE WAS NOT PRIMARILY WRITTEN IN ORDER TO BE READ IN TEN VERSE CHUNKS… BUT READ IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE IT THE WAY YOU EXPERIENCE A SYMPHONY. N.T. WRIGHT

THE BELIEFS

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2

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We believe that our spiritual growth with God is intentional and conditioned by our interpersonal relationship with God and one another.

We believe that the Bible is the primary source and criterion for authentic Christian witness. It is the sacred canon for Christian people and formally acknowledged as such by the historic ecumenical councils of the church.

We believe in one true God. This one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I am,” the creator of heaven and earth and the redeemer of mankind.

He has further revealed himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:42-46 Hebrews 10:24-25

Psalm 119:89 Proverbs 30:5 Matthew 4:4

4 + His Substitutionary Work on the Cross

+ His Virgin Birth

+ His Bodily Resurrection from the Dead

I Corinthians 15:3 II Corinthians 5:21

+ His Sinless Life

Matthew 28:6 Luke 24:39 I Corinthians 15:4

Hebrews 7:26 I Peter 2:22

+ His Exaltation

+ His Miracles Acts 2:22; 10:38

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5

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal son of God. The scriptures declare the following:

Matthew 1:23 Luke 1:31-35

Deuteronomy 6:4 Isaiah 43:10-11 Matthew 28:19 Luke 3:22 Mark 12:28-29

Acts 1:9,11; 2:33 Philippians 2:9-11 Hebrews 1:1- 3

We believe that humankind was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make humanity in our image, after our likeness.”

Genesis 1:26 However, humanity by voluntary transgression fell and thereby endured not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:6 Romans 5:12-17

6 We believe that mankind’s only hope of redemption is through the covenant established through Jesus Christ. Since salvation is covenantal in nature, we respond, in faith, by repentance with the direct witness of the Holy Spirit, which compels us to be baptized which is our initial expression of our internal commitment.

7 We believe that the outward evidence of our relationship with God is a life of righteousness, true holiness, and evidenced with the fruit of the Spirit.

We believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ, upon the completion of the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of God’s holy prophets.

Ephesians 4:24 Galatians 5:22-25 Titus 2:12

Psalm 102:16; 110:1 Acts 3:21 I Corinthians 15:23-28

Acts 2:38-39 Romans 6:4-13 Colossians 2:11-12 Romans 8:16

We believe His visible return will include the end of all injustice, inequalities and human suffering.

Psalm 72:3-8 Isaiah 11:6-9 Micah 4:3-4 II Peter 3:13

THE NICENE CREED (325 C.E.) We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

And Ekko says, “Amen.”

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THE

VISION

LOVE

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.

Luke 10:27

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TESTIMONY

HOME & HEALING

Jason & Esther Moon WORDS BY SARAH PARK PHOTOS BY JAMES KIM, HEIDI MIN & ARIEL SHIM

C

ommunity. Home. Dependence. These words carry such soft undertones and are easily taken for granted, sometimes dismissed as weakness. Yet in God’s kingdom, they are words of powerful transformation and deliberate devices to heal our land. God’s values are so different from ours and as broken people growing up in a broken world, perhaps our understanding of them is hopelessly limited by the traumas that cause people to be more isolated than they really are.

Community takes on many expressions, most simply within a marriage. Jason and Esther Moon were married on July 16, 2011 with hopes and expectations for a life journeyed together and as one. Plans of having children, traveling together, or buying a house some day. Their plans changed when Jason was diagnosed with end stage renal failure just three months after their wedding.

Esther’s father had passed away from the same disease a year before almost to the day.

E I was angry at both my dad and Jason, I was blaming them, why weren’t they responsible enough to take care of their bodies better or to catch it earlier? I had told him when we were dating, “You need to take care of yourself. I don’t want you to be like my dad, I don’t want to have to feel all of this again.” I felt robbed. No one expects to get married and have this happen to them—to have their husband sick. I wish I had done more for my dad when he was around. With Jason, I thought I needed to do the best that I could. Even if it was not up to me to keep him alive, it was out of my control—I was kind of manic, I was going a little crazy.

J What is going on? This can’t be for real.

Everything was moving so quickly. We had moved to a new area, I had just gotten promoted—we were moving in a direction that I wanted to go towards and then this diagnosis came out of left field. I felt bad for her that she would have to go

through some of those emotions all over again.

I also felt protective of her. I didn’t want her to go through that again. At first, I tried to not feel anything and definitely avoided it as much as possible. Not having to deal with it made it less real, less obtrusive in my life.

Jason and Esther’s first years of marriage were marked by their separate struggles. The heaviness of Jason’s diagnosis and the changes it demanded from their lives was outweighing the need to figure out how to be married to each other. Esther was desperate to keep Jason alive and tried to control whatever was available to her. Jason was in denial at the bleakness of his new life and lost himself in work. The two rarely saw each other until Jason had to be hospitalized for 10 days.

J Her telling me about the things that hurt her with her father... she had to watch a lot of those struggles and I think hearing those again from her made me realize that I had to be very proactive, otherwise I would be putting her through that again.

E I was constantly thinking about how he feels.

He felt like an island, I think he felt like he was alone... he finally understood it was affecting me too. Knowing that he wasn’t going to get rejected at his worst, I think he had the confidence of wanting to move forward, wanting to get better.

Divorce had been entertained. Questions like “Do you want me to get remarried if you die?” were raised. Their circumstances did not change until Jason remembered that he had a partner and that she was going through it with him whether he was aware of it or not. And against all odds, she was still with him.

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While divorce would have been legal and even justified, Jason and Esther enrolled in Orthopraxis and discovered what true love in covenant looks like. She learned about a relentlessly faithful Father who sacrificed heavily to keep a promise, a promise He made for her. As she and Jason continued to learn in Orthopraxis and became more involved at Ekko, through God’s story, they learned how to practice love within their marriage and within the church.

E God was shifting my perspective. He was uprooting the pride in my heart, the entitlement I felt. What I wanted didn’t equate a happy or successful marriage. I get stuck on ideas and I get disappointed when they don’t happen. I was blaming Jason so much for everything that was happening. I needed to be responsible for my own life, my feelings, my judgments of others. God showed me he was here with me and that helped to know we were going to be okay.

J When I started to see Esther opening up, watching her thrive and have community, I saw that these people were there for her in a way I couldn’t be. At that point, I just chose a few people I would try to open up to and as I did that, these people weren’t the things that I feared, they weren’t judgmental. I was in the hospital and they came by; they made sure Esther was okay.

Living with a chronic illness can be isolating when daunting circumstances feel so removed from the seemingly normal lives of others. With prayer, likely the biggest weapon that Christians can wield, we are given the chance to vertically invite God to do a work and we horizontally

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invite our friends to share the burden. Can we appreciate how powerful that is when very real circumstances limit our hope?

E I was holding maybe two tons of sand and one bucket at a time, people carried the sand away with their prayers. To them it was just a bag of sand—not a big deal, but no, it was a big deal.

That weight was being lifted. It was actually getting smaller because we were able to give it to God. We didn’t know what to do with this load, but people prayed for us and we felt encouraged, they were now holding the burden with us and carrying it away. It was allowing us to see that the burden we carried was not ours to carry. We have learned that we can trust God with it and that He is strong enough to carry all of it.

The motivation to fight for their marriage did not come until they were able to be compassionate towards each other, and the relief of burden did not come until they were brave enough to receive the compassion from the church. The beauty of the church is that the body made up of broken people finds healing through itself.

The full understanding of God’s commitment to Esther transformed her into the covenant partner that she had promised she would be in the beginning of her marriage. It is also what inspires Jason to be a husband who is fighting for the both of them. It was God who modeled how to be a faithful spouse and it was through the church that supported them that they began to practice an actual marriage in spite of illness and death. Nothing can interfere with a new life found in God.

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PASSOVER SEDER

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THE

CULTURE

HUMILITY

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:3-11

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MOVEMENTS I & II

A SYMPHONY OF REFLECTION & WORSHIP IN FOUR MOVEMENTS

God is my deliverer and my salvation.–Psalm 18:2

Passover Seder

Good Friday

Palm Sunday

Easter

I am my beloved’s and he is mine.–Song of Songs 6:3 Pentecost

Sync

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MOVEMENTS III & IV

God is my provider.–Psalm 111

The Feast of Tabernacles

Missional Living

Your kingdom come, your will be done.–Matthew 6:10 Advent Sunday

Ash Wednesday

Christmas

Lent

New Year’s Eve

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THE

MISSION

HOME

Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

John 14:23

God makes a home for the lonely‌ Psalm 68:6

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27

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EKKOSYSTEM THE RHYTHMS AND DISCIPLINES OF OUR TRIBE

The EkkoSystem is a collection of environments, practices, and disciplines where Christian formation can occur. There are four major environments within this EkkoSystem. These gatherings are heavily relational and rooted in love, for we believe God transforms and empowers through the Body of Christ, the Church.

Currently we have designed four major environments within what we call the EkkoSystem.

EKKLESIA The Church in Covenant Community through regional home gatherings

KOINONIA The Church in Organic Christ-centered Fellowship

KAVANNAH The Church in Passionate Worship

ORTHOPRAXIS The Church in Discipleship

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Jesus ate all the time. In eating and sharing a meal with people—who were often shamed and ignored by the religious elite—he was embracing them and extending God’s friendship. You eat with those you love, those you want to do life with, and those you accept. As Jesus ate, he must have taught, laughed, cried, and shared not just bread, but his life with them. During these meals, they must have experienced God’s acceptance—so it is with Ekklesia. It is Ekko setting a table, eating together, and embracing each other’s lives in love.

It is a time to learn from His Spirit through the Word, and times of not only sharing a meal, but sharing our lives and extending God’s acceptance to one another.

The paradigm of Kavannah prayer comes from the book of 1 Samuel. The book tells a story of Hannah, a barren woman who longed for a son. Unable to have a child, mocked by her peers, anguished, and humbled, she prayed an immersive prayer, a “kavannah” kind of prayer—full of intent and devotion. Her lips moved and her heart cried out, but she made no sound. Yet in spite of her pain and bitterness, she gave the gravest concerns of her heart to God, fully trusting, fully exposed. We aspire to pray this type of prayer. We yearn for it. Kavannah is Ekko’s commitment to honest and heartfelt prayer, knowing that God is the only one who can answer us.

LET’S EAT.

LET’S PRAY.

Jesus walked all the time. We find him taking moments to stop and teach his disciples along the way. Following Christ is not static, but has a rhythm and motion to it. The disciples trailing behind must have often talked with one another about what they were just taught. The walk gave space for a talk, and as they walked and talked, their love and respect for their Master must have grown. In Koinonia moments, we too find ourselves walking closely behind our Lord, hearing together and in return, seeking to obey together.

The question that we have to answer is not just “What do I believe” (orthodoxy) but also, “How then shall I live?” (orthopraxy). Jesus did not simply teach his disciples what to know, but lived out a life worth practicing. As we seek to imitate him in both faith and practice, we become accustomed to the ways of God. And the ways of God become the way of life. And this way of life is the new life.

It is in discipleship that we learn to embrace and practice this new life. This new life is best sustained by continual obedience to God’s Word and constant submission to the Holy Spirit. Orthopraxis is Ekko’s introduction to a lifelong discipleship with Jesus.

Orthopraxis is a prerequisite for Membership, Leadership, and serving in any departments at Ekko.

LET’S LISTEN.

LET’S LIVE. 37

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elcome to Ekko Kids! We hope that you and your family feel welcomed and safe here. We pray that you will enter into a faithful partnership with us to help nurture your children in a godly and righteous way. We believe our role as the church is to come alongside your family and help you take the next steps towards God in your children’s journey.

In our humble beginnings, our entire ministry had just one child. We put all of our love, energy, and time into that one child because we believe Jesus would have done the same. He died for us all; yet He would have died for one. He would do everything for the few—and for the one. We continue to shape and form Ekko Kids with this

value and with this heart. We believe that each student is God’s precious child.

Ekko Kids is led by a team of volunteers. We believe our act of worship to God is serving the little ones with excellence, passion, and thoughtful preparation. We desire to give God the best we can. Hence, we strive to be faithful to who God sets before us; previously with one child, but now with many.

Ekko Kids exists to create a safe and healthy community where children are nurtured in love and joy while free to be themselves. We cater our ministry towards the children in hopes that they will see God. Our prayer is that the children will build lasting memories here and encounter Him in their own, unique way.

We hope to see you soon!

Caroline Kim Director of Ekko Kids

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WE ARE

EKKO

EKKO KIDS exists to provide a safe and age-appropriate environment for children to experience God and learn the Bible in a fun and creative way.

FIRST TIME? - Service begins at 1PM. - Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to service to fill-out an information card and liability form.

- If we need to get a hold of you during service, we will send you a text message. Please make sure we have your current cell number and have your phone on vibrate.

- Our staff and volunteers will assign your children to their appropriate classrooms and will offer you a tour of our children’s area.

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O KIDS PARENT SUPERVISED ROOM: NURSING INFANTS This room is available to use specifically for parents and infants. There is a live feed of our main service so that parents may enjoy the service while tending to their infants.

EKKO BUTTONS: 1-2 YEAR OLDS A place where little ones begin to learn the foundational principles of God and they feel welcomed, loved, and safe.

We are dedicated to cultivating an environment that is safe, sanitary, and fun for kids.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN: 3-5 YEAR OLDS A place where children start building biblical foundations and begin to learn about the Bible stories, characters, and values. We actively engage children with Scripture through various learning styles and activities.

ELEMENTARY: GRADES K-4 A place where children begin to truly grow spiritually and dive deeper into biblical principles and stories. We aim to create fun ways for children to learn about God’s Word.

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THE MISSION

TO LOVE Mark 12:39, Luke 10:27 To demonstrate God’s love through relationships and being a role model.

TO GROW Mark 12:39, Luke 10:27 Through the knowledge of the Bible.

Through following examples.

Through building a relationship with God and one another.

TO BEAR FRUIT John 15:16

TO DISCIPLE Matthew 19:14

TO PARTNER WITH FAMILIES Ephesians 4:11-13; Deuteronomy 6:5-9; Psalm 78:5-7

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99 BALLOONS & rEcess

HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN? “It all happened so fast so I knew it was all in God’s favor and provision. During a staff meeting, we had discussed the burden that God had placed on our hearts for children with special needs. Shortly after, at a lunch meeting, Pastor Bryan’s colleague mentioned this amazing non-profit organization called 99 Balloons that equips churches and brings awareness regarding children with special needs. I immediately had goosebumps all over my arms and legs and knew that this meeting was intentional and orchestrated

by God. He connected Ekko with Matt Mooney, the founder of 99 Balloons and before we knew it, we were on a plane to Fayetteville, Arkansas for training.”–Caroline Kim

WHAT IS 99 BALLOONS? 99 Balloons represents the number of balloons that were released at Eliot Mooney’s funeral—each balloon representing a day he spent alive on earth. Eliot’s beautiful life sparked a passion in his parents to help families and children with special needs.

99 Balloons Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 to serve and help families both locally and globally. rEcess is one of the local programs that aims to fulfill the vision set forth by Eliot’s parents and serves as the first 99 Balloon’s initiative. The capitalized “E” in rEcess is in honor of Eliot and his life. The Mooney’s were blessed with much help and assistance from friends and family, which enabled them to better care for Eliot. rEcess aims to create this opportunity for families—a place where communities can serve one another and provide care for children with special needs.

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WHAT IS RECESS? rEcess is a free monthly respite program provided for children with special needs. The program allows parents to engage in a time of rest while volunteers provide a welcoming and fun environment for their children. The driving force behind rEcess is the desire to encourage families and children with special needs to allow us to come alongside them in their journey. In addition, we hope to educate and equip the community to make a difference by raising awareness. Volunteers provide attention for children with special needs in a one-to-one ratio. Siblings are also invited to participate in the “sibling track� which provides them with their own exciting activities.

Each person is sacred, no matter what his or her culture, religion, handicap or fragility. Each person is created in God’s image; each one has a heart, a capacity to love and to be loved.

Jean Vanier

BUT WHY RECESS? Why is it that the most esteemed within the body of Christ are also the most unreached and how do we reach them? According to 1 Corinthians 12, the church is the answer. Pulled together, unreached individuals with a disability represent the third largest group in the nation. Only 5-10% have ever heard the gospel. Jesus led an inclusive lifestyle among people with disabilities. We believe that we are to do the same and the church should be an extension of how Jesus lived. We hope that rEcess will be a ministry that will be His hands and feet, serving those who deserve the most honor and care.

So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.

1 Corinthians 12:24

HOW CAN WE HELP? You can help by spreading the word and inviting families you know that have children with special needs. We also welcome any donations you would like to contribute including toys, school supplies, and DVDs. If you would like to volunteer at rEcess or would like more information, please contact Caroline Kim at caroline@ekkochurch.com or visit ekkochurch.com/ekko-recess.

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SYNC

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THE

PRACTICE

NEIG HBOR

Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead... But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper.

‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:25-37

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he Mary and Joseph Initiative is Ekko’s way of embracing the call to pure and genuine religion. It is our attempt to join God in his mission to befriend the lonely, to father the fatherless, and to care for those in distress.

has always been to build God’s house one person at a time. Simply put, our mission is best practiced in the art of hospitality. God has welcomed us home in Christ his Son, and we are called to invite everybody home.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 18:5

James 1:27

For years, we at Ekko have felt the call to build a “home” and a “family” for God. In order to answer the Call, obey the Vision, nurture the Culture, develop a Practice, and believe in the Hope, we must make it our Mission to build a House for God and for Others. It is in a godly house that a person can grow and mature in all the things God has called him or her to be and do. Therefore, the Mission for Ekko

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Two years ago, we received a clear message about what was happening to us as a tribe as we began to experience growth. God gave us a picture of George Mueller’s ministry. Mueller was known for building one of the largest orphanages in England.

We felt that we were to prepare a better, more loving home for those who were coming into the House of God. What we did not know was that this would eventually lead to the further unfolding of this mission.

In 2013, Pastor Bryan felt a clear call for Ekko to enter into a dialogue about members of Ekko actually adopting children. In the spring of that year, God began to show him that Ekko’s mission was not only to welcome home spiritual orphans from all over Southern California, but actual orphans from here and around the world. It became very clear that God wanted Ekko’s missional efforts to include those who were disenfranchised in our world, particularly people with special needs and orphans.

Pastor Bryan often talks about the initial “vision” he received where he saw “a world map, with dots coming from other countries and other cities headed towards our church’s location—much like the missions map in the foyer of churches everywhere, with missionary families’ pictures pasted onto it.

The maps that remind church members to pray for the missionaries they are supporting.” He then saw a similar map and picture-board with our missionary families’ photos, but instead of going to another country, their missionary call was to stay and build a house for others. They were our “missionaries” through their acts of hospitality! Our mission was expanding, beyond pastoral care to foster care, beyond spiritual adoption to the spirit of adoption.

God was on the move, and we were ready to follow.

“Father of orphans, champion of widows, is God in his holy house.”–Psalm 68:5

WHY NAME IT MARY & JOSEPH? At a recent conference, Pastor Bryan was struck by an epiphany from God. God initiated a conversation where He asked him, “Did you know I was adopted?

Was Joseph my father? How did Mary conceive?

Was not the incarnation an immaculate one? Joseph had to decide whether he would take me on despite

the many challenges this would pose for him and his family. Mary had to brave the circumstances and choose to have me. I want you to name the adoption initiative after them, I want to honor their courage and love, name it, ‘Mary and Joseph’ for my ‘mom’ and ‘dad.’”

God entrusted His only Son to Joseph and Mary, believing that they would embrace him as their own and raise him in righteousness.

God was chosen.

God was adopted.

God was a foster kid.

God continued by saying, “Each child is mine.

The Imago Dei is on each child making every child inherently valuable and worth loving.” And like Mary and Joseph, we at Ekko are going to do our best to make a home for God’s children.

In order to set up a strong foundation for the Mary and Joseph Initiative, we will continue to study and educate ourselves about adoption and orphan care. We plan to accomplish this through hearing testimonies from families who have adopted, attending conferences and seminars, and learning from other churches with adoption ministries, among other things.

All funds raised for the Mary and Joseph Initiative will go toward the (1) promotion, (2) education, (3) assisting, and (4) resourcing of all things orphan care at Ekko.

For more information, please contact Cathy Kim at cathy@ekkochurch.com.

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TESTIMONY

MAKING SPACE

The Sung Family WORDS BY SARAH PARK PHOTOS BY JAMES KIM, HEIDI MIN & ARIEL SHIM

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he widow and the orphan. The foreigner and the alien. They are mentioned multiple times in the Bible with one insistent message: to love and remember them. All are disconnected and castaway individuals shortchanged by a flawed society and with nothing in place to take care of them, and yet God calls on His body to tie them in, to root them as part of the community, so that they may be seen and known.

would have a dream that they had to bring in their adopted sister right away, a dream he insisted upon for several weeks before Hanna began to take him seriously. It was then that the entire family moved from Brea to Corona for Elijah’s work and to prepare a larger home for the addition of adopted children. They are currently in the process of becoming certified to foster-toadopt as their family’s expression of hospitality.

Adoption takes on many expressions from the grade school teachers assigned to us to the mentors we actively seek. The church itself is a grander setting for adopted brothers and sisters in Christ to practice being a family.

For this family of four, there is now space for one more. Logen proudly led me to his bedroom and showed-off that the room next door was his adopted sister’s. I am reminded of God’s provision when He said, “When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands” (Deuteronomy 24:19). The Sung family is doing just that—not only leaving but also making extra space in their lives for the coming of this child. This overflow is echoed in Jesus’ words, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2) God himself will prepare a home for us and we get to imitate as he does.

You’ve always been right there for me; don’t turn your back on me now. Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me; you’ve always kept the door open. My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.

Psalm 27:10

For Hanna and Elijah Sung with their two boys, Logen and Kol, the adoption mentality of being a part of Christ’s body translates into actual adoption, an idea that had been entertained since the start of their marriage. Later on, Logen

I asked Hanna and Elijah what they would say to their daughter if she were in front of them. Hanna looked at me, and that was all it took for tears to well up in both our eyes.

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She clears her throat...

H Sweetie... I just want you to know that you are loved. I love you so much. I loved you even before I met you, before I knew you, and whether I have the privilege of becoming your mommy or not, while you’re here on earth in this stage of our life, I want to be able to create a space for you to thrive, to flourish, to become whole, to be comforted and to reach the highest potential that God has already laid out for you.

E You know, in this family, we believe that God’s given each of us a dream and a purpose. I think more than anything else, we want to celebrate that dream and that purpose in your life. Just as Hanna said that even before we knew you, we loved you. More than our love for you, God knew you even before you were formed and God formed you for a purpose and a dream. And we’re going to do everything we can to make sure you can fulfill that calling and purpose and dream in and through your life. I want you to know that we support you, that we’re going to be there to teach you, to help you and to give you all the opportunities and resources you need to make that happen.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you. The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

Psalm 139:16

For those who are more familiar with Hanna and Elijah, these messages are not new. Their decision to be open to adoption is an overflow of the hospitality they already extend to others in their life. For hospitality in God’s house is beyond setting out the nice placemats and being neighborly. Hospitality is an expansion of one’s heart for others, a lifestyle of being home to others.

Adoption is not for everyone and it is God’s gift to give. God gave the Sung’s a heart for children who need a home. God gave them the capacity to love someone they have never met before and uproot their life to create space for them. What an honor it is to be able to love in that way, to live a life as Jesus did and to share what is entrusted to them!

When we make room, when we prepare, when we live according to His ways, we create space in our lives for God to entrust us with a partnership in His plans. We get to partake in the way He transforms the world, in all its shapes and sizes, and God willing, may we always be found ready.

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MOZAMBIQUE

EKKO ADVANCE Jesus is the Savior of the World and he is also a great Rabbi and teacher. He was so great that large crowds would follow him. “…large crowds followed him.”–Matthew 8:1 Jesus will always have crowds that follow him, but Jesus also recruited disciples to have his mission continue and flourish. We often find Jesus retreating away from the crowds so that he may spend quality time with his disciples to teach, discipline, and prepare them for Kingdom work and life. (In Mark 10:1 we see Jesus teaching the crowd, and then in Mark 10:10, Jesus’ disciples are having a discussion and “small group” session with him.)

We know that the disciples were chosen only if the Rabbi believed they could be just like him. Jesus chose The Twelve and now he has chosen us to be his students. He believes in us. He believes by his wisdom and power that we can be like him, which will in turn unveil further and further the Kingdom of God in our midst today.

The mission continues with us.

Ekko Advance seeks to respond to this invitation, being led by the Holy Spirit to a quieter, less crowded space to learn from our teacher.

Currently we have three “spaces” that have been curated for this purpose.

SELAH ADVANCE Loving God via the Word of God DOULOS ADVANCE Loving Our World via the Love of God STORY ADVANCE Loving Our Self via the Truth of God

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The word Selah appears over seventy times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. The Psalms are originally songs and prayers accompanied by musical instruments. Selah functions as a musical and liturgical pause to the singing and playing of music. It means to “stop and listen.”

We call this Selah Advance because through it we aim to seek and encounter God through His living word reflectively, intimately, prayerfully, and in conversation with others, so that we are shaped more into the image of Christ. Keri Wyatt Kent writes, “To pause between the notes of our lives turns noise into music.” We envision Selah to be that pause—that space between—during which we do nothing but open our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies to our living God to speak however He so wishes.

We know many of you have a deep hunger to read and study the Bible. We have shaped this Advance not just as a class where you learn about a certain

book of the Bible or study a certain topic or theme, but as a space where you experience God through his word, which is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).

We will do this through the ancient practice of Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina is Latin for “divine reading” or “sacred reading.” It is a practice of praying the Scriptures slowly and contemplatively. It is God inviting us to pause, listen, rest and ruminate in him. In this way it is different from a sermon, a lecture, or explanation of a particular Bible passage.

Lectio Divina cultivates an attitude of humility and submission to God. We get out of the way, put aside our agendas, silence our hearts and smart phones, and open ourselves to be spoken to and transformed by God. Lectio Divina is about allowing us to be mastered by God’s word, rather than us trying to master God’s word.

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Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing (Kenosis), taking the very nature of a servant (Doulos), being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Philippians 2:1-16

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THE INVITATION Doulos Advance is an invitation to become more like Christ who poured out his life in service to the God who calls us to love Him through our neighbors. It is also an invitation to help our tribe fulfill one of our highest callings: to be a servant. Such a calling is often diametrically opposed to the ways of this world, but the way and the truth and the life of Jesus is to pick up our cross and follow him.

As Ekko begins to turn towards the orphan and the widow, the poor and the oppressed, and as we begin to love the God who calls us from the hungry and the thirsty, the sick and the stranger, we invite you to reclaim the biblical model of deaconship and its essential function in the manifold ministries of a merciful God.

THE CALLING DIAKONOS | Intermediary DOULOS | Servant KENOSIS | Emptying Ekko desires to equip servant leaders who will help facilitate God’s call for our tribe to reach “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). Doulos Advance will equip you to do three things: Diakonos You will learn about the biblical model of deaconship and its role within the framework of the local church and the kingdom of God. Doulos You will be charged to set an example by living out what it means to be a servant of Christ.

Kenosis You will be inspired to live out the gospel with your hands and feet in your chosen field of vocation and in your everyday life.

Learn. Live. Lead.

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Story Advance seeks to create a space where we can offer God a better story of our lives, one worth passing on to the next generation, and one worth reading and hearing about. It is a story with a climax and a great ending. We want to hear at the end of this story the words from our God, “What a great story you have written and added to the Story I am already writing.”

THE FRAMEWORK

When we submit our lives to what we read in Scripture, we find that we are not being led to see God in our stories but our stories in God’s. God is the larger context and plot in which our stories find themselves.

Eugene H. Peterson

THE BIG IDEA Cohort Based Story Advance organizes six participants to journey together through the entire program. In the duration of eight weeks, participants’ primary learning and reflection come from their willingness to be vulnerable and open in their stories and discoveries.

In so doing, they learn largely from each other and not only in their interaction with the pastor and advisor.

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Advisor-Directed Story Advance is paired with an in-house advisor who will facilitate the week-to-week online discussions as well as accompany the weekend retreat.

Online & Hybrid Story Advance engages in a variety of venues that is EPIC—experiential, participatory, image-driven and connective. It does not encourage simply downloading information; instead, participants and advisors value relationship and the dynamic interaction, which will enrich and deepen its outcome. The format comprise of weekly meetings online, a weekend retreat and a final get together for reflection. During the final week, participants will join the Ekko Orthopraxis Graduation Celebration and inform graduates of personal outcomes of Story Advance.

THE LEARNING OUTCOMES Writers will gain an advanced understanding on how to write a Storyline.

Writers will contribute to the understanding and practice of Personal Ministry in Ekko.

Writers will formulate a more comprehensive and critical understanding of Personal Ministry, uprooting past judgments, and other Spiritual Diagnostic Practices.

Writers will foster competencies in analysis and reading of Scripts, Judgments, and Vows.

Writers will engage with diverse personal backgrounds of other Writers through on-site field experience, online interactions, and counseling sessions.

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PARTICIPATING AT EKKO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Hi! 3 I’M NEW TO EKKO

COMMUNION

1

SUNDAYS SABBATH

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EKKLESIA KAVANNAH KOINONIA REGIONAL GATHERINGS WORSHIP & PRAYER NIGHTS ORGANIC CHRISTCENTERED FELLOWSHIP

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THE EUCHARIST

4

GIVING TITHES & OFFERINGS

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BREAK OF DAWN ASH WEDNESDAY PALM SUNDAY GOOD FRIDAY EASTER PASSOVER SEDER

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ANNUAL CAMP

DISCIPLESHIP After completing Orthopraxis, you have the option of becoming a member.

SYNC

ORTHOPRAXIS

MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

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BAPTISM

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SERVING

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ADVANCE STORY DOULOS SELAH

THE DEPARTMENTS There are many departments you can serve in at Ekko. The following teams would love to serve alongside you:

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Design Ekko Kids Events Finance Hospitality Intercessory Media Men’s Ministry Newcomers rEcess Women’s Ministry Worship

Pre-Marital Weddings Post Marital Ministry Pastoral Counseling Sessions Birth & Child Dedications Ministry To The Dying Funerals

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COMPASSION MARY & JOSEPH INITIATIVE RECESS

PASTORAL CARE

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THE

HOPE

RENEWAL

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Revelation 21:3-5

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FACES OF EKKO

What was the first thing you noticed about Ekko when you first came?

LESLIE LIM AGE 23

OCCUPATION Recent UC Irvine graduate and currently working at a law firm in Santa Ana.

ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU I am 1/32 Dutch, which explains why I am so tall and why my left eye is smaller than my right eye. I like to think I add to the diversity of this church.

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I thought, “Wow, there are a lot of beautiful people here,” and I was painfully aware of how ‘non-hipster’ I am. But all joking aside, I was drawn to the tangible humility of Ekko; there is a core group who is hungry for the voice of God. How has God been working within you, your family, or your life in the time that you have established Ekko as your home?

I have been at Ekko for almost two years now, and during this time, God has been rewriting my story. I have always loved the idea of radical living—the testimonies, the supernatural, and suffering for the sake of the gospel. Going through the Genesis series exposed a deeper emptiness within myself that grasped glimpses of intimacy with God. I am so thankful for a church that teaches us to live a quiet life and that God is found in every breath. A church that teaches the importance of working hard with humility. A church that has the courage to call out singles and married couples about sex—something I have struggled with in shame for years. A church always learning and wanting to reach the marginalized.

My mom passed last January, leaving my family raw and me to question “Where are you God?” and “Are you even real?” For the first time in my life I desperately needed Him to be. Life suddenly seemed so short and eternity so long. I found I could no longer just know God “in theory.” Lately, I feel like God has been nudging me to pray, to keep my ears tuned to Him and embrace discipline. More and more my story becomes less about me and what I can do. As I was reflecting on a sermon about Joseph, it is apparent that God has been faithful to my family and in my own life this entire time. I have never thought membership in church to be necessary, but I am so excited to become a member this year—to be part of a body greater than I, to have community I can count on, and to know that my actions affect more than myself. I have a feeling something big is going to happen, and I can’t wait to see this church be a part of it.

FACES OF EKKO

What is the #1 most played song on your iPod? “Love on Top” by Beyoncé What is your favorite month of the year?

December... Christmas, hot pot weather, and new beginnings... need I say more?

What is one of your favorite quotes?

“Adventure is out there.”–Ellie Fredricksen If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?

The parting of the Red Sea would be awesome!

What is the last experience that made you a stronger person?

The passing of my mom.

What is your favorite indoor or outdoor activity?

I love to swing dance.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

Throw an ice cream party!

The best part of waking up is…

Green milk tea with boba (from 85˚C) in your cup!

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?

Curling up in a cozy place to read, nap, and think.

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STAFF

FOUNDING PASTORS Bryan H. Kim Michelle Kim

PASTORS Janette Ok TJ Moon

CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR Caroline Kim

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR Isaac Chong

SPECIAL THANKS

COVER Photography Heidi Min

THE BIGGER PICTURE Copy Editor Cathy Kim

EKKO KIDS Styling Caroline Kim, Heidi Min & Angela H. Park

99 BALLOONS & RECESS Photography 99 Balloons

MARY & JOSEPH INITIATIVE Photography James Kim

MAKING SPACE Cinematography Joshua Kim Photo Assistant Jenny J. Kim

MOZAMBIQUE Photography Steve Lee

EKKO ADVANCE Photography Ariel Shim Styling Jenny J. Kim

ELITE COLOR TECHNOLOGIES Print Production Isaac Kim

CONTACT US WRITE TO US info@ekkochurch.com

KEEP IN TOUCH www.ekkochurch.com

VISIT US 4121 Artesia Avenue Fullerton, CA 92833 USA

COUNTLESS MULTITUDES FROM COUNTLESS CITIES COME, SOME OVER LAND, OTHERS OVER SEA, FROM EAST AND WEST AND NORTH AND SOUTH AT EVERY FEAST. THEY TAKE THE TEMPLE FOR THEIR PORT AS A GENERAL HAVEN AND SAFE REFUGE FROM THE BUSTLE AND TURMOIL OF LIFE, AND THERE THEY SEEK TO FIND CALM WEATHER, AND, RELEASED FROM THE CARES WHOSE YOKE HAS BEEN HEAVY UPON THEM FROM THEIR EARLIEST YEARS, TO ENJOY A BRIEF BREATHING—SPACE IN SCENES OF GENIAL CHEERFULNESS.

PHILO OF ALEXANDRIA

WWW.EKKOCHURCH.COM