Ken Shigematsu - Marks of a Spirit-Filled Community

August 3rd, 2025 - Marks of a Spirit-Filled Community
Ken Shigematsu, a long-time friend of Leighton Ford and LFM, who pastors in Vancouver, Canada, shares God’s Word with us today on Sunday Extra. Ken embodies much of the persona of Leighton Ford Ministries. He was mentored personally by Leighton, led an LFM mentoring group for years, and cares deeply about the soul care of pastors and ministry leaders. Preaching from Acts 2:41-47, which shows the characteristics of the early church, Ken measures his own congregation against this passage. He helps us wrestle with the state of our own churches in light of God’s truth.

Praying for Sojourners
“What can I do to make these young, competent and eager people long-lasting in their desire to be part of God’s mission?” That’s what Bodil, a ministry leader in Northern Europe, asked following the global Lausanne gathering in Seoul, South Korea, last fall. She invited eight younger leaders – pastors and students – to be a part of a new LFM mentoring group. Bodil wondered, “How can they continue to journey together and share the difficult part of the next leg of the journey” as they move forward into leadership positions. The Sojourners group recently held their first in-person mentoring retreat in Denmark.

Ministry leaders often encounter overwhelming circumstances, stress, and opposition. A rising rate of those dealing with depression, burnout, and a drop-out rate characterize many people in vocational ministry. That’s why LFM’s mission is to be a catalyst for mentoring healthy leaders who sustain thriving ministries for the sake of the Gospel. We come alongside of emerging leaders by offering safe times, safe places, and safe people for their lives.

Following their retreat, Bodil shared that the young leaders were grateful “that they were seen and listened to and given space to share, be open and vulnerable.” Let’s pray for the Sojourners group this week. May they be strengthened and encouraged in the Lord, “confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).