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Cornerstone Communications
Korea
March 24, 2006

Dear Family & Friends,

Greetings from Seoul, Korea! I just arrived 3 days ago, and already, we have cast the show, and we begin rehearsals tomorrow morning. Here we go again! The weather is just beautiful, as Spring is in the air, and the blossoms are coming alive all over. But the real colors were seen last week on the Durban Christian Centre stage in Durban, South Africa. The stage exploded with color, from the costumes to the sets to the lights. It lived up to it's name... Technicolor!

Production Update

Last week, we opened "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" to 4,000 children on Thursday morning. What a sight to see… and hear so many children enjoying themselves, laughing, screaming and clapping as they learned of the correlation between Jesus and Joseph. The best part was that they were from the community, and the were made up of Hindu's, Muslims and many other religions. We had a chance to impact their lives with the message of Jesus!

A scene from "Joseph". The stage was bursting with color in every scene!

Thursday night we opened to the adult public, and the show was well received. Around 100 came forward for salvation, which was so wonderful to see. After all, that's the whole reason we're here presenting this musical! Friday and Saturday, we saw around the same number of souls nightly, and Sunday night we finished strong with over 200 giving their hearts to the Lord. Altogether, around 530 made Jesus Christ Lord over their lives, and I'm just humbled to see the Lord use me, in conjunction with Durban Christian Centre to see so many lives touched.

Honors in Korea

Monday, I hugged my friends goodbye, and left for Johannesburg, then onward to Singapore. We arrived so late into Singapore that I almost missed my flight. My luggage did, and so I was without luggage for a day. No problem. Like normal, we hit the ground running, and went right into auditions.

Last night, Thursday night, I was instructed that I was to go to a dinner with the Hansei staff (over 200) at a special celebration banquet in a nice restaurant, so I must wear a suit. I did, and when I entered, I sat in the back corner, just wanting to observe everything.

After a successful run of "Joseph", the cast and crew mug for the camera.

Mrs. Cho, the president of Hansei University, sent some people to come and invite me to sit next to her at the head table! Wow! Then, after a word of greeting, she explained to those in attendance and to the press that Hansei University has moved from being ranked 17th nationally to 2nd over the last year of evaluations by the Korean Board of Education for Universities. The school excelled in 4 areas that pushed them to the top: Design, IT, Literature, and…. Performing Arts!

Even though the school received this honor some months ago, President Kim waited for me to return to Korea so that I could be honored along with these other directors over their respective fields. We each received a Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Contribution, a few gifts and $500, and the Korean paparazzi were there! Isn't the Lord good? I'm just a missionary telling people about Jesus through theatrical presentations. I would've never dreamed that I'd get national attention for some productions that I directed. My goal is to bring people to Christ. Anyway, I credit our wonderful Lord for anything that I receive, because He is the one who makes me look good as I serve Him!

Authority in Christ

My scripture last week and this week remains, not surprisingly on the verse known as "The Great Commission", often used to challenge us all to do what Jesus has called us to do, to "go and tell". Yet, this scripture, Matthew 28:18, has been coming alive to me in so many different ways. Last week, was to walk by faith. This week, it's to realize the authority that we have in Jesus Christ.

At PheZulu, I have a chance to share a laugh with some Zulus. Yes, some really do still dress this way, out in the villages away from the big cities.

"All authority is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." Yet, when Jesus ascended, He transferred His authority to the Church. He is the Head of the Church, and believers are what make up His Body. And His authority therefore, flows from the Head, and through the Body to reach those on the earth.

The source of our authority is found in the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus by God, the Father. In Ephesians 1:21, Paul writes that God has set Jesus, "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named…" You see, the Lord wants all believers to understand not just Jesus' authority, but OUR authority. It's overlooked by many Christians, and most churches don't even know the believer has any authority!

The act of God that raised Christ from the dead also raised His Body. In the mind of God, when Jesus was raised from the dead, WE were raised from the dead! Ephesians 2:5,6 says, "Even when we were dead in sins, He hath quickened us together with Christ…and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus". If we can ever get the revelation that we are the Body of Christ, we'll rise up and do the works of Christ! Until now, many of us think that we can only do as much as OUR CONCEPT of authority in Christ allows us to do.

Receiving a Certificate of Commendation from Mrs. Yonggi Cho for improving Hansei's national rank from 17th to 2nd through theatrical productions over the past 2 years.

The problem is that we have a "cross" mindset, and not a "throne" mindset. Yes, we need to go to the Cross for salvation, but we don't need to remain there. We need to "ascend" to the throne, and claim our rightful authority in Christ! We died with Him all right, but we're also raised with Christ. We're seated with Him. Postitionally, that's where we are right now: We're seated with Christ in the place of authority in heavenly places.

Many Christians know nothing about their authority. The don't believe they have any. They believe they're saved, yes, but have to suffer in life like anyone else, and are dominated by the devil and his lies. The sad case is that many magnify what the devil is doing in their lives more than they do what God is doing in their lives. We died with Christ, but He has raised us up together with Him. Being raised with Christ and being elevated to sit with Him show us that we can rightfully claim the authority that God has given us. My friend, let's start walking in that authority!

Annyeong-hi Keseo!

That's Korean for "Good bye!" It's wonderful to be back in Korea, but more importantly to be in the middle of God's will. I am so thankful for the honors bestowed upon me by Mrs. Cho, but the real honor is for me to serve the Lord through theatre. He's my passion, and I get to do my passion, so imagine enjoying both everyday! No wonder I never tire of what I do! God bless you, friend!

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez