Wow, I am back in the United States and I am so glad to have been able to go and represent the Lord and First Smyrna in S. Asia. What a great chance to see an amazing country and also serve the purposes of God.
Over the last couple of weeks our team had the privilege of serving in S. Asia with a couple of incredible MS and ministries who are involved in planting house churches. We taught brand new believers how to study the Bible. Most of the men and women we were working with had been followers of Christ for 2 years or less. They live in an area where internet access is minimal and study resources are few. We taught them how to use the Bible to feed their life without the common tools we would use to study; concordances, dictionaries, maps, and commentaries. We have many luxuries afforded to us as American believers that others in the world do not have access to in their personal study time. It was a real eye opener to me personally.
We also were strongly encouraged by seeing a movement beginning in a country that has less than 2% of its population who are followers of Jesus. We were able to see and hear testimonies of people who have left family, homes, and jobs to follow Jesus as Lord. We do not have to face this type of persecution in our lives. I was overwhelmed by the worship of people who have nothing left except Christ alone. I was challenged in my own comfort and my willingness to move past my comfort zones so that the name of Christ could be proclaimed in a dark region of the world.
I want to challenge you to go on the mission field and serve the Lord. He has a plan for you to join Him in the work He is doing all across the globe. You will be motivated to walk more closely with the Lord. Your perspective of American Christianity will be forever altered. You will be humbled by the selfless sacrifice of missionaries who give up much to follow God in obedience. Though I dare say they feel they have not given up much in light of what God has done for them. They have sacrificed much when you view it in light of what we have in the United States. God will open your eyes to see Him in a new way when you are taking His name to the nations. Don’t let money stand in your way, if God is moving in your heart to be on mission with Him, then He will provide the money for the trip. What a great opportunity to see God move in your life even before you leave for the trip.
Please pray for:
Ms in dark reaches of the world
More workers, the fields are ready to plant, water, weed, and harvest
For God’s name to be proclaimed in the dark places
For churches to be actively involved in mobilizing people for the task
