Over the course of the past fourteen months I have been on a journey toward a healthier lifestyle. this journey has taught me many lessons. As I ponder the future of the short-term mission team in our current Christian culture, I see many things the Father has been teaching me this past year. As in the last post, I believe the short-term mission team is critical to the future of evangelism and discipleship among the nations.
In Mark 6 and Matthew 10 we read of Jesus sending out the twelve. These twelve men represent a short-term experience that we all can learn from. The primary objective of the twelve being sent out was the communication of the Gospel message concerning repentance. It is clear that the message they were to share was about repenting of sin and the Kingdom of God being present to be dealt with by each person they met.
So many times the short-term mission team is built around a good work. There are so many things that need to be done around the world to care for the needy. Many of us have been a part of a team leading a VBS or a children's ministry program. Some of us have been a part of a construction project to improve the living conditions of families in need. Some have been with medical mission teams and orphan care teams. Some have led Bible studies and some have taught life skills. All of the teams I have been a part of have done good work. All of the work was needed and helped improve life in some way for the people we were ministering to. Most of the work being done is extremely important and needs to be done my the Body as we serve around the world.
However, as I have read more of His Word and listened more to His heart I have come to realize the value of a short-term mission team with only one primary focus...GOSPEL! All of the things we do on the field are good. All of the needs on the field need to be met. All of the desires we have to help and improve the lives of those we are serving are good. Yet, the vital element to our passion must be the Gospel message that has been shared since these first twelve men were sent out by Jesus! We must lead short-term mission teams to make sharing the Gospel the most important element of every short-term missional experience.
One of the greatest barriers to the Gospel presentation being primary in every effort has come from the absence of one critical question in our partnerships on the field. "How can we help you reach your community?" This question must become a primary element to our develop of mutually beneficial partnerships. Our heart's desire must be to join our brothers and sisters on the mission field in reaching their community with the hope of the Gospel.
For far too many years we, as the US church, have been the benevolent giver of all good things to the poor struggling third world church family. As a result we have assisted in the development of a dependent relationship that is based on our resources and generosity with our money. This has allowed a response from the field to always be a "yes" response to anything we ask of the mission partner in order to keep receiving the support, money and resources. Often times this "yes" comes with a price after the team leaves!
The long-term ramifications of this have become detrimental to the mission field. The dependent relationship is limiting, restrictive and eventually leads to no passion and no progress. Without a clear commitment to the Gospel remaining primary in every aspect of the missional partnership, the relationship becomes a business agreement. Eventually the bottom line will not allow the relationship to continue. Only the Holy Spirit powered, Gospel driven partnership will remain through the persecution and trials that will come.
So, as we focus on the short-term mission team and its vital role in the reaching of the world, let us not lose sight of the primary commitment and motivation for going to the nations! The whole truth of the Gospel is the primary focus of a short-term team. As the mission team shares the Gospel, along side the local church, the opportunity to show the Gospel will present itself to the local church and they will seek assistance in meeting the needs of their community in order to share the Gospel more openly and with more passion. This is where the partnership finds depth, strength and longevity.
As in the Gospel accounts of the twelve being sent out, today our short-term mission teams must be sent out with a clear, concise and compelling message of the Gospel that will transform lives and grow the Kingdom. When we see the Gospel settle on the hearts of men and women of peace, the church takes root in a community through a single household. It is at this point that we see the excitement of the church growing and the Gospel advancing. This is the point that the short-term mission team can be most effective in assisting the planting of the Gospel where the church does not exist. Seeing God at work around the globe is motivating us to go and join Him at reaching the world and teaching the Word!
In His Grip,
JT
Monday, February 11, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
How Important is a Short-term Team?
We are navigating the waters of missional efforts in a day when the emphasis is not on the short-term team as much as it has been in the past. More and more of the focus of churches, mission agencies and organizations is on mid-term and long-term efforts to difficult, unreached areas of the world. The Father's heart is for all people and these areas of tough ministry are in much need of long-term commitment by Christ-followers to carry the Gospel message with passion and patience.
The short-term team is vital to the long-term commitment as it is the foundation of a life called to serving the Kingdom and showing the Gospel. Over the course of nearly twenty-seven years of ministry I have maintained a commitment to short-term mission trip experiences as the building blocks of a missional life. It was through a short-term trip that I was exposed to the needs of migrate workers in North Carolina and Native Americans in southern Arizona. It was through these week long experiences that God began to develop an awareness in my heart of the difficulty many face around the globe in daily life. Through watching my parents and other mission leaders model serving and sharing the Gospel on the short-term field God birthed a passion for the lost in my heart that is still burning hot today.
At the core of the short-term experience is an opportunity to gain first hand knowledge and on the field training for evangelism and discipleship. It is from these basic building blocks that the Lord developed the passion of One Way Ministries, Reach the World and Teach the Word!
Reaching the world is a task that is God-sized. Only through a clear understanding of our role in God's work of reaching the world with the truth of the Gospel, can we then join Him in His work by sharing the Gospel message and showing Gospel in serving others. Henry Blackaby developed a clear view of how we fit into God's plan of revealing Himself to the world through his book and study Experiencing God. This resource has helped me put feet and hands to the truths we learn in the Word. We are all called to reach the world. Every one of us who call ourselves a Christ-follower has been commanded to share and show the whole truth of the Gospel.
On the short-term mission trip we are given the opportunity to see the Gospel at work in the daily lives of the local church and the Christ-followers we serve alongside. This short experience is used by the Lord to challenge us and stir our hearts for those around us on the field. The importance of the short-term team experience is to open our minds and hearts up to the needs we see all around us and the work that God is already doing to meet those needs. It is when we come home from a cross-cultural experience that the real work begins in our own backyard.
The short-term mission experience is a building block for a world view that is God-like. God sees the world much differently than you and I. His perpsective of people and cultures and cities and countries is very different than our perspective. The short-term experience helps us open our eyes and our heart to the global view that God has of the people around us. When we begin to look at the needs of those on the field as needs we can do something about, God begins to draw our attention back home. The goal is to help us learn while on the field how much more we can do right at home to reach the world!
Imagine if every local body of believers were to take the call to reach their world right around their community serious and focus everything they have on their local community with passion and patience! How much of the world could we reach if we all focused at the same time on each of our communities?
How important is a short-term mission team? I believe the short-term team is vital to reaching the world and teaching His Word to every disciple. Without the short-term team experience, we will not see young people shift their world view to a Biblical world view and hear God's voice as He calls them to give their lives in service to the King! Without the short-term team we will see a drop in college students taking their summers and occasional semesters to give their lives in another context for the sake of the Gospel. Without the short-term team we will not see young adults abandoning the dream of a big house and nice cars and comfortable lives for the challenge of a crucified life utilizing their talents and skills in areas where people have never heard the Gospel. Without the short-term team we will see families remain inwardly focused and never see the impact of a Christ honoring family on a community without a model of a family to show the Gospel while serving the Body of Christ.
I think the realities of a missional approach to reaching the world without utilizing short-term teams to introduce, educate, challenge and train individuals, small groups and families for long-term global impact are incredibly devastating to the spread of the Gospel. So, will you allow the Spirit of God to stir in your heart as you search for the opportunities He has placed before you to join a short-term mission trip this year and experience His life-changing impact in another context that will drive you back home with passion and patience? Will you consider who you will journey along side this year to experience the mission field in another context and out your back door? Will you seek to reach the world and teach His Word this year with at least 2% of your year? Will you trust His heart and allow His hand to guide you into the field that is so white and ready for harvest? Will you go and make disciples?
In His Grip.
JT
The short-term team is vital to the long-term commitment as it is the foundation of a life called to serving the Kingdom and showing the Gospel. Over the course of nearly twenty-seven years of ministry I have maintained a commitment to short-term mission trip experiences as the building blocks of a missional life. It was through a short-term trip that I was exposed to the needs of migrate workers in North Carolina and Native Americans in southern Arizona. It was through these week long experiences that God began to develop an awareness in my heart of the difficulty many face around the globe in daily life. Through watching my parents and other mission leaders model serving and sharing the Gospel on the short-term field God birthed a passion for the lost in my heart that is still burning hot today.
At the core of the short-term experience is an opportunity to gain first hand knowledge and on the field training for evangelism and discipleship. It is from these basic building blocks that the Lord developed the passion of One Way Ministries, Reach the World and Teach the Word!
Reaching the world is a task that is God-sized. Only through a clear understanding of our role in God's work of reaching the world with the truth of the Gospel, can we then join Him in His work by sharing the Gospel message and showing Gospel in serving others. Henry Blackaby developed a clear view of how we fit into God's plan of revealing Himself to the world through his book and study Experiencing God. This resource has helped me put feet and hands to the truths we learn in the Word. We are all called to reach the world. Every one of us who call ourselves a Christ-follower has been commanded to share and show the whole truth of the Gospel.
On the short-term mission trip we are given the opportunity to see the Gospel at work in the daily lives of the local church and the Christ-followers we serve alongside. This short experience is used by the Lord to challenge us and stir our hearts for those around us on the field. The importance of the short-term team experience is to open our minds and hearts up to the needs we see all around us and the work that God is already doing to meet those needs. It is when we come home from a cross-cultural experience that the real work begins in our own backyard.
The short-term mission experience is a building block for a world view that is God-like. God sees the world much differently than you and I. His perpsective of people and cultures and cities and countries is very different than our perspective. The short-term experience helps us open our eyes and our heart to the global view that God has of the people around us. When we begin to look at the needs of those on the field as needs we can do something about, God begins to draw our attention back home. The goal is to help us learn while on the field how much more we can do right at home to reach the world!
Imagine if every local body of believers were to take the call to reach their world right around their community serious and focus everything they have on their local community with passion and patience! How much of the world could we reach if we all focused at the same time on each of our communities?
How important is a short-term mission team? I believe the short-term team is vital to reaching the world and teaching His Word to every disciple. Without the short-term team experience, we will not see young people shift their world view to a Biblical world view and hear God's voice as He calls them to give their lives in service to the King! Without the short-term team we will see a drop in college students taking their summers and occasional semesters to give their lives in another context for the sake of the Gospel. Without the short-term team we will not see young adults abandoning the dream of a big house and nice cars and comfortable lives for the challenge of a crucified life utilizing their talents and skills in areas where people have never heard the Gospel. Without the short-term team we will see families remain inwardly focused and never see the impact of a Christ honoring family on a community without a model of a family to show the Gospel while serving the Body of Christ.
I think the realities of a missional approach to reaching the world without utilizing short-term teams to introduce, educate, challenge and train individuals, small groups and families for long-term global impact are incredibly devastating to the spread of the Gospel. So, will you allow the Spirit of God to stir in your heart as you search for the opportunities He has placed before you to join a short-term mission trip this year and experience His life-changing impact in another context that will drive you back home with passion and patience? Will you consider who you will journey along side this year to experience the mission field in another context and out your back door? Will you seek to reach the world and teach His Word this year with at least 2% of your year? Will you trust His heart and allow His hand to guide you into the field that is so white and ready for harvest? Will you go and make disciples?
In His Grip.
JT
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Beyond Our Ability
Several years ago the Lord birthed a vision for ministry in my heart that has been slowly coming to a reality. The challenge has been to remain faithful to the vision in the midst of slow development of the actual hands on areas of the vision. Yesterday, I had a great meeting with a friend in ministry that reminded me of some key points of this faith journey. I thought I would share some of these thoughts from the journey.
- When God calls you to a life of ministry, He calls you to a lifelong journey that never stops growing and changing in its shape and appearance.
- When given the opportunity to impact people's lives with the hope of the Gospel, life never lacks joy in the midst of the daily tasks of life.
- The needs around the world are directly in proportion to the blessings He pours out on the Body!
- His heart always is trustworthy even when His hand is unseen!
- The future is always full of more hope than the desperation we see in front of our eyes.
- The Father always knows what you need right when you need it!
- This journey is where I am to focus because my destination is secure!
- I have been re-created to walk this journey in community with others, no solo hikers.
- The Father uses other members of the body to help us hear His voice, listen to those He has placed around you for that Word you need.
- When God shows you what He is about to do that is His invitation to you to get involved in His work. (from Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God)
There are days in our journey when the road seems too long and too tough. The way we have chosen seems to be more than we can handle. The journey seems to be much harder than we think we can endure. If you find yourself in that spot, as I have on occasion, do not loose heart! Sit for a moment and reflect on the amazing grace that has transformed your entire world. Think for a while on the incredible blessings He has poured out on your life. Ponder the length and width and depth and height of His love for you. Seek Him in the midst of the struggle and see beyond your own ability to endure the day and press on! He is able to do so much more than we can even measure in our lives...let us rejoice in the victory won on the cross and let us walk with confidence in His ability to finish what He started in our hearts!
In His Grip,
JT
Monday, January 21, 2013
Through Him All Might Believe!
In the first chapter of John's Gospel we read of a man sent from God to prepare the hearts of men for the coming of Jesus. 6"There came a man sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe." John 1:6 John was sent to be a witness of the Light that was coming and to prepare hearts for the future.
We all think highly of this man named John. We all have a great respect for the man even if we do not fully understand his ways. He was a bit odd and out of the norm with his behavior and appearance. His message was a very unique message. His words were very simple and clear. He was very much straight forward and to the point. He did not sugar coat the message of shy away from speaking the truth. He boldly proclaimed the whole truth of the message God had given him.
As I ponder the reality of this one verse of scripture, I catch a very important concept. Through one witness, the Bible says, all men might believe! I want to be a faithful steward of all that God has given to me. I want to obey His words of instruction and learn to be a fully devoted follower of the Christ. I want to be a faithful witness that helps every person I come in contact with believe!
God has a plan for each of our lives. He knows who He will bring across our path and who will need to hear a word of truth from us. God is actively orchestrating every step of our journey. And at this point you are all with me...right?
God is also orchestrating every encounter I have each day for the glory of His name. Every time my life touches another life on this planet it is for the glory of God. If I spend time with other believers, He is glorified when our conversations are about His goodness and His ways and His discipline in our lives. If I encounter one who does not know Him personally, He is glorified when I speak to that person boldly and compassionately the whole truth of God's Word!
Today, I would challenge you to consider how you can make decisions about your day, your week, your month and your year, that will allow God to bring many people across your path who need to believe in Him. Are you planning your days in such a way as to impact those around you with the hope of the Gospel in every occasion of life? Are you seeking to put yourself in situations where God can use you a that witness for His glory? Will you be a witness through whom all who cross your path might believe?
John was that kind of witness. John's life was not very long and his ministry years were very short. Potentially, his ministry was the shortest ministry of all the prophetic men in all of scripture. Yet, Jesus said that of all the people born of a woman, there is no one greater than John! This is the crowd God has allowed us to be named with! The Father has chosen you to be a witness through whom many people will believe. Now let us be about our Father's business and boldly share the message of repentance and hope to every one we can! Come on let us reach the world and teach His Word together!
In His Grip,
JT
We all think highly of this man named John. We all have a great respect for the man even if we do not fully understand his ways. He was a bit odd and out of the norm with his behavior and appearance. His message was a very unique message. His words were very simple and clear. He was very much straight forward and to the point. He did not sugar coat the message of shy away from speaking the truth. He boldly proclaimed the whole truth of the message God had given him.
As I ponder the reality of this one verse of scripture, I catch a very important concept. Through one witness, the Bible says, all men might believe! I want to be a faithful steward of all that God has given to me. I want to obey His words of instruction and learn to be a fully devoted follower of the Christ. I want to be a faithful witness that helps every person I come in contact with believe!
God has a plan for each of our lives. He knows who He will bring across our path and who will need to hear a word of truth from us. God is actively orchestrating every step of our journey. And at this point you are all with me...right?
God is also orchestrating every encounter I have each day for the glory of His name. Every time my life touches another life on this planet it is for the glory of God. If I spend time with other believers, He is glorified when our conversations are about His goodness and His ways and His discipline in our lives. If I encounter one who does not know Him personally, He is glorified when I speak to that person boldly and compassionately the whole truth of God's Word!
Today, I would challenge you to consider how you can make decisions about your day, your week, your month and your year, that will allow God to bring many people across your path who need to believe in Him. Are you planning your days in such a way as to impact those around you with the hope of the Gospel in every occasion of life? Are you seeking to put yourself in situations where God can use you a that witness for His glory? Will you be a witness through whom all who cross your path might believe?
John was that kind of witness. John's life was not very long and his ministry years were very short. Potentially, his ministry was the shortest ministry of all the prophetic men in all of scripture. Yet, Jesus said that of all the people born of a woman, there is no one greater than John! This is the crowd God has allowed us to be named with! The Father has chosen you to be a witness through whom many people will believe. Now let us be about our Father's business and boldly share the message of repentance and hope to every one we can! Come on let us reach the world and teach His Word together!
In His Grip,
JT
Monday, January 14, 2013
New Mexico
As we begin the 2013 year I wanted to share some big picture ideas with you. My desire is to help those of you reading these posts get a big picture concept of how you can be involved in the efforts to walk along side a ministry partner and help accomplish ministry goals together.
Tohatchi Baptist Church is about 30 minutes north of Gallup, NM on the Navajo Nation. Pastor Aaron Jim is a Navajo native of Tohatchi pastoring and ministering among his own people for the sake of the Gospel. The church has an older building that houses the sanctuary, classrooms, kitchen and bathrooms. There is a barn for storage along with a storage shed (built summer 2012). In addition they have a bunkhouse, a bath house and food pantry. The church is in need of a few more bunk houses and a renovation of the barn. A primary ministry is to the children and adults who cannot come to church if they are not picked up by the church vans. The challenge of drivers and fuel is always present with Aaron bearing that responsibility often times himself.
Some of the ministry opportunities for teams are construction projects for community members like roof repairs, steps and ramps and renovations of rooms for more effective housing. In addition we have helped the church with VBS in their own community as well as a community just north of the church with a family from the church. There is also a boarding school across the highway from the church where young teens are in need of some outreach, fun and some authentic love through Gospel presentation, skits, crafts, songs and games.
There is much need among the Navajo for truth to be shown as much as it is shared. As you pray for Pastor Aaron and the Tohatchi faith family, pray for the Lord to send teams who will commit to multiple years of work and develop some long-term relationships that will show the Gospel every time the Gospel is shared. Consider how the Lord may use you this year to impact a Native American people group in need of the Truth! Contact us for more information on trips, opportunities for ministry projects and a list of items you and your church can collect for the Navajo people.
2013 can be the year you join us for an exciting week of ministry among the largest Native American people group in the country. This year you can walk with others as we share the love of Christ and show the Gospel in the high desert of New Mexico. Come on let us reach the world and teach His Word together!
In His Grip,
JT
Tohatchi Baptist Church is about 30 minutes north of Gallup, NM on the Navajo Nation. Pastor Aaron Jim is a Navajo native of Tohatchi pastoring and ministering among his own people for the sake of the Gospel. The church has an older building that houses the sanctuary, classrooms, kitchen and bathrooms. There is a barn for storage along with a storage shed (built summer 2012). In addition they have a bunkhouse, a bath house and food pantry. The church is in need of a few more bunk houses and a renovation of the barn. A primary ministry is to the children and adults who cannot come to church if they are not picked up by the church vans. The challenge of drivers and fuel is always present with Aaron bearing that responsibility often times himself.
Some of the ministry opportunities for teams are construction projects for community members like roof repairs, steps and ramps and renovations of rooms for more effective housing. In addition we have helped the church with VBS in their own community as well as a community just north of the church with a family from the church. There is also a boarding school across the highway from the church where young teens are in need of some outreach, fun and some authentic love through Gospel presentation, skits, crafts, songs and games.
There is much need among the Navajo for truth to be shown as much as it is shared. As you pray for Pastor Aaron and the Tohatchi faith family, pray for the Lord to send teams who will commit to multiple years of work and develop some long-term relationships that will show the Gospel every time the Gospel is shared. Consider how the Lord may use you this year to impact a Native American people group in need of the Truth! Contact us for more information on trips, opportunities for ministry projects and a list of items you and your church can collect for the Navajo people.
2013 can be the year you join us for an exciting week of ministry among the largest Native American people group in the country. This year you can walk with others as we share the love of Christ and show the Gospel in the high desert of New Mexico. Come on let us reach the world and teach His Word together!
In His Grip,
JT
Monday, January 7, 2013
CROSS Fit
The early morning hours before daybreak are being filled with many more people on their way to work out and get fit. The typical new year's resolution is in full swing today as many people are getting into their new routine for the year. This morning as I was slinging some weights and grunting in pain with some new friends at Glory To God Crossfit in Alabaster, I began to consider the whole concept.
This past year has been quite the journey for us as a family and we have seen amazing results in our obedience to the Lord with our health. I personally have seen some numbers on the scale I have not seen since before Sheryl and I were married. This has throughout the year caused me to think about my early days in college and ministry formation and how that is being played out in my life today.
I had some awesome opportunities early in my ministry career, if we can call it a career, to be taught by some great men of God. I realize now that I had no idea how important some of those lectures and classes would be in the formation of a Biblical world view and solid ministry foundation. The days I was stretched beyond belief by Dr. Edwards in Greek class or the pushing of the walls in my box by Dr. Joines. The deep pondering that followed Dr. Bowden's philosophy class or his challenge in a discussion on world religions and how to know what I believed. The amazing insight that came from listening to Dr. Whirley share from his years of experience on the mission field in Africa opened my eyes and heart up to a world I had never known. Over and over the training came day after day class after class.
As if that was not enough, the Lord then allowed me many years of ministry work along side men who knew the Lord and loved people! I also had the privilege of walking the road with some great men of God in the business world at the Chick-fil-A corporate office. Over and over the Lord placed me around men and women who were pouring into me lessons of this faith journey that were forming a ministry outlook that is alive and active. Again the Lord added to my formation by allowing me to attend seminary and learn from men who challenged me in every way possible with my knowledge and understanding of the Word.
All of this to bring me to this morning's workout and the light bulb in my mind!
How fit am I really for the cross this year?
This is a serious question we all should consider. What am I doing to be fit to carry the cross? How is my life being trained and challenged daily to improve my stamina and endurance to carry the cross at home and around the world? Is my daily life an example for my children to follow and find the cross and His wisdom that comes in the joy of knowing His sufferings? Can those who come behind me call me faithful? Will there be an impact from the cross on my daily conversation, behavior and responses?
I am doing all that I can to be physically fit to carry the cross literally into the world the Father is sending me. Am I dong all I can to be fit spiritually and in obedience to the whole truth of His Word to carry the cross? This year I want to do all I can to carry the cross into every situation I find myself. I want to be CROSS Fit for His glory and to make His ways known and His salvation known! How about you? Will you get fit this year to carry the cross with me? Come on, let us take up our cross and carry it in such a way we can reach the world and teach the Word!
This past year has been quite the journey for us as a family and we have seen amazing results in our obedience to the Lord with our health. I personally have seen some numbers on the scale I have not seen since before Sheryl and I were married. This has throughout the year caused me to think about my early days in college and ministry formation and how that is being played out in my life today.
I had some awesome opportunities early in my ministry career, if we can call it a career, to be taught by some great men of God. I realize now that I had no idea how important some of those lectures and classes would be in the formation of a Biblical world view and solid ministry foundation. The days I was stretched beyond belief by Dr. Edwards in Greek class or the pushing of the walls in my box by Dr. Joines. The deep pondering that followed Dr. Bowden's philosophy class or his challenge in a discussion on world religions and how to know what I believed. The amazing insight that came from listening to Dr. Whirley share from his years of experience on the mission field in Africa opened my eyes and heart up to a world I had never known. Over and over the training came day after day class after class.
As if that was not enough, the Lord then allowed me many years of ministry work along side men who knew the Lord and loved people! I also had the privilege of walking the road with some great men of God in the business world at the Chick-fil-A corporate office. Over and over the Lord placed me around men and women who were pouring into me lessons of this faith journey that were forming a ministry outlook that is alive and active. Again the Lord added to my formation by allowing me to attend seminary and learn from men who challenged me in every way possible with my knowledge and understanding of the Word.
All of this to bring me to this morning's workout and the light bulb in my mind!
How fit am I really for the cross this year?
This is a serious question we all should consider. What am I doing to be fit to carry the cross? How is my life being trained and challenged daily to improve my stamina and endurance to carry the cross at home and around the world? Is my daily life an example for my children to follow and find the cross and His wisdom that comes in the joy of knowing His sufferings? Can those who come behind me call me faithful? Will there be an impact from the cross on my daily conversation, behavior and responses?
I am doing all that I can to be physically fit to carry the cross literally into the world the Father is sending me. Am I dong all I can to be fit spiritually and in obedience to the whole truth of His Word to carry the cross? This year I want to do all I can to carry the cross into every situation I find myself. I want to be CROSS Fit for His glory and to make His ways known and His salvation known! How about you? Will you get fit this year to carry the cross with me? Come on, let us take up our cross and carry it in such a way we can reach the world and teach the Word!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Doing Good and Not Growing Weary!
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10
Doing the right thing is always at the forefront of our minds as we serve others. Sometimes we can grow weary in doing the good and right over and over again when we see no results. We need reminders that spur us on to continue to do the good thing and anticipate a harvest above what we think may be possible. This past week I saw this lived out in front of my eyes!
Our largest team landed in two groups in Guatemala last week. One team landed on Friday and went to children's camp to serve a couple of days prior to the medical clinic that would follow. The second half of the team arrived Saturday and settled in to prepare for a long week of serving in a Mayan community outside the city. When the two teams met on Sunday the Lord had already begun a good work in our hearts and the two teams became one! The Father had a plan and He was orchestrating every detail for His glory.
The week was an amazing example of doing good and not growing weary! The team divided into smaller groups to tackle all of the tasks of the week. The medical team began to settle into a plan for serving the needs of the people, the construction team quickly planned the best method to accomplish a house rebuild, and the VBS team continued to rehearse the Biblical truths that were to be so vital to the teaching of His Word. The evangelistic hearts began to organize into a team to share both at the clinic and in homes across the community as the logistics all seemed to find their way into their place in the puzzle. The pharmacy team settled in to be the final act of encouragement we had to offer to a hurting and desperate community. All of this would in some way adjust and change throughout the week to form a team of Christ-followers determined to do good and not grow weary.
Through the challenges of Monday and Tuesday, the team adjusted and adapted to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting community. The whole time, this amazing team reflecting the love of the Savior toward one another. We remembered regularly Jesus' words, " They will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another." We saw countless acts of sacrifice and service that allowed the Holy Spirit to remain powerfully present in our daily journey of faith. The week came to a close with a wonderful sense of accomplishment and success based on His strength and power He granted all during the week.
In the end, over 1000 patients seen by doctors, 1500 toothbrushes and toothpastes given out with better understanding of how to use them, over 200 children involved in VBS each day and over 120 decisions of men and women to follow Jesus fully. This week was a great reminder of the joy of serving the Lord along side other believers who are willing to sacrifice and serve for the sake of His Name! This past week was a wonder picture of continually doing good and not growing weary!
One predominant theme prevailed all week: Allow the system to work and we will see the Lord bless.! This is exactly what we saw. We allowed a collaborative system to develop and then let the Holy Spirit work in the lives of the team and the community as we allowed the system to work. As a result, hundreds of lives have been touched with the love of the Savior.
As the pics pop up on Facebook and the memories begin to become the stories of an amazing week of service, let us be reminded to do the good thing and serve others in the Name of Jesus. It is through this serving that the harvest comes. It is through the serving and doing good to all we can, that the harvest of souls will be seen as we continue to be obedient to follow His heart.
Thank you to the team that formed this past week for an awesome week of serving in Guatemala! Now let us not grow weary in doing good! Let us press on as we see His hand at work all around us and He uses us to bring in the harvest of souls He so desires to find peace and hope that will not disappoint. Let us keep pressing on for the prize that is laid before us and know that He will sustain every step of our journey through His amazing grace and faithfulness! Thank you for reminding me to not grow weary but to press on!
In His Grip,
JT
Doing the right thing is always at the forefront of our minds as we serve others. Sometimes we can grow weary in doing the good and right over and over again when we see no results. We need reminders that spur us on to continue to do the good thing and anticipate a harvest above what we think may be possible. This past week I saw this lived out in front of my eyes!
Our largest team landed in two groups in Guatemala last week. One team landed on Friday and went to children's camp to serve a couple of days prior to the medical clinic that would follow. The second half of the team arrived Saturday and settled in to prepare for a long week of serving in a Mayan community outside the city. When the two teams met on Sunday the Lord had already begun a good work in our hearts and the two teams became one! The Father had a plan and He was orchestrating every detail for His glory.
The week was an amazing example of doing good and not growing weary! The team divided into smaller groups to tackle all of the tasks of the week. The medical team began to settle into a plan for serving the needs of the people, the construction team quickly planned the best method to accomplish a house rebuild, and the VBS team continued to rehearse the Biblical truths that were to be so vital to the teaching of His Word. The evangelistic hearts began to organize into a team to share both at the clinic and in homes across the community as the logistics all seemed to find their way into their place in the puzzle. The pharmacy team settled in to be the final act of encouragement we had to offer to a hurting and desperate community. All of this would in some way adjust and change throughout the week to form a team of Christ-followers determined to do good and not grow weary.
Through the challenges of Monday and Tuesday, the team adjusted and adapted to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting community. The whole time, this amazing team reflecting the love of the Savior toward one another. We remembered regularly Jesus' words, " They will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another." We saw countless acts of sacrifice and service that allowed the Holy Spirit to remain powerfully present in our daily journey of faith. The week came to a close with a wonderful sense of accomplishment and success based on His strength and power He granted all during the week.
In the end, over 1000 patients seen by doctors, 1500 toothbrushes and toothpastes given out with better understanding of how to use them, over 200 children involved in VBS each day and over 120 decisions of men and women to follow Jesus fully. This week was a great reminder of the joy of serving the Lord along side other believers who are willing to sacrifice and serve for the sake of His Name! This past week was a wonder picture of continually doing good and not growing weary!
One predominant theme prevailed all week: Allow the system to work and we will see the Lord bless.! This is exactly what we saw. We allowed a collaborative system to develop and then let the Holy Spirit work in the lives of the team and the community as we allowed the system to work. As a result, hundreds of lives have been touched with the love of the Savior.
As the pics pop up on Facebook and the memories begin to become the stories of an amazing week of service, let us be reminded to do the good thing and serve others in the Name of Jesus. It is through this serving that the harvest comes. It is through the serving and doing good to all we can, that the harvest of souls will be seen as we continue to be obedient to follow His heart.
Thank you to the team that formed this past week for an awesome week of serving in Guatemala! Now let us not grow weary in doing good! Let us press on as we see His hand at work all around us and He uses us to bring in the harvest of souls He so desires to find peace and hope that will not disappoint. Let us keep pressing on for the prize that is laid before us and know that He will sustain every step of our journey through His amazing grace and faithfulness! Thank you for reminding me to not grow weary but to press on!
In His Grip,
JT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
