The Missions Impulse — Gathering the Nations
Instead of asking, what motivates us to missionary work, the starting question should be: "What motivates God?"
You’ve helped me to pray
Some doubt the effectiveness of their prayers because they are uncertain if they are following the correct format, obeying all the right rules, and fulfilling all the necessary requirements for God to hear them and answer their prayer. Nagging doubts about rules and formulas shape their perceptions of prayer. But the spiritual thirst and hunger …
Travel to Nicaragua on Mission
Next week (April 16-22, 2013), I’ll return to Nicaragua on another teaching trip, particularly to the cities of Jinotega Matagalpa. I teach for a ministry called PRMI (Presbyterian Reformed Ministries International). I serve as their Missions Faculty for the Americas and have the joy of helping grow their work in Latin America. Pastor Raul (pictured …
Training Latin American Missionaries with OM Panama
This week, I spent time with Operation Mobilization Panamá, teaching in their school of missions. Eight missionaries in training from 3 different countries gathered in a small town in the Western highlands of Panamá.
Training Young Life Central American Leaders in Prayer Ministry
In December 2012, I spent time with nearly 100 Young Life Leaders from throughout Central America at their annual leadership development camp. Across two camp sessions, nearly 500 leaders from 6 different countries attended. The photo above was the group from the 2nd camp. Our class focused specifically on Listening for God’s voice, Discovering spiritual …
5 Ways to Bless Your Missionaries for Christmas
Christmas is coming! You’ve likely seen stores already putting Christmas stuff out, and the shopping season gets longer. I started seeing Christmas stuff in late September. . . During this time of year, many churches put together various outreaches to care for their community. We have done various shoebox programs and angel tree programs – …
Guest Post: Seeing Christmas stories through eyes of ministry
Below is a guest article from my friend Mike Neeley, a minister with Tierra Nueva Ministries, an ecumenical ministry located in Burlington, WA, serving migrant farmworkers and inmates at Skagit County Jail. Tierra Nueva is dedicated to proclaiming the Good News of God’s reign (on earth as it is in heaven) in solidarity with the …
Getting beyond the walls
Today’s Guest Article is from my friend who has served as our translator during our Nicaragua mission trips. Earl and his family have been serving as church planters in Nicaragua for years, and he shares with us some reflections on getting out of the church walls. Here you go. . . . . . . …
Barton Heights Missional Community
Watch how some of my friends are seeking to be a missional community in the Northside of Richmond Virginia, my hometown. Part of the struggle of missional community where they live: Their house has bullet holes from a shooting in front of their house. Their cars have been vandalized, with bricks smashing the windows. They’ve …
Contextualizing the Gospel Crossculturally
Being cross cultural missionaries, I run into a clash of worldviews. Likewise, teaching in a missions institute on worldviews, I seek to offer explanations and suggest strategies to contextualize the gospel. We may not see it a lot in the US, but a common worldview I encounter when I minister in Latin America is animism. …
3 Keys to Church Growth — Case Study
Recently, in late July, I was in Volcán Panama, teaching evangelism training workshops at the mission base of Operation Mobilization Panama. Missionaries from 6 different countries had come to Volcán Panama for two months of working with the local church. To double up the use of the time, I also had the opportunity to do …
Thinking about 3 Different Forms of Evangelism
Coming up in a few weeks, I’ll be teaching at a missions base in the Far west of Panama. I’ll be training missionaries in their concentrated lecture phase before they begin a 6 week outreach working in partnership with local churches among some of the unreached groups in Panama. This has led me to reflect …
God’s Heart for the Nations, Part IV — The Holy Spirit Empowers
Regardless of skin color, flag, economic condition, gender, nationality, the people from every nation, tribe, people and language will be in worship. We will enjoy the presence of those from Columbia, from Russia, from Australia to Uganda. From Canada to Argentina. Israelis who worship Jesus, Saudi's who worship Jesus.
God’s Heart for the Nations — Part III
In part I of God’s Heart for the Nations, we saw God’s heart for the nations, and how reaching the nations is part of God’s ultimate plan. In part II of God’s Heart for the Nations, we saw how the Father initiates in the choice of Israel to begin the process of redemption. Today, we’ll …
God’s heart for the Nations, Part II
Yesterday in Part I of God’s Heart for the Nations, we saw that God’s redemptive plan was for the nations. This is accomplished by individuals, but ultimately, the plan of redemption will impact nations. Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord – Phillipians 2:9-11 Today, we look at the …
God’s Heart for the Nations
Today, we begin a series entitled “God’s Heart for the Nations.” Salvation is not just for individuals, but for the nations. Here is what burns in my heart as my passion in life: to help the Church get passionate about evangelism and leading people into discovering their faith in Christ. I have spent hours, days, …