Missions
Missions Monday: Things I’m Learning
I’ve been on a process of discovery lately seeking to learn more about the global status of Christianity and discern how God wants Rock Bridge to be part of His kingdom work to the ends of the earth. Here’s a summary of what I am learning so far:
- The most evangelized countries (USA; Canada; Europe; Australia) are not giving much money and resources to the least-evangelized countries.
- A U.S. dollar can do a lot more in Africa, India, & South America than it can in America.
- A lot people (children mostly) die everyday from preventable causes and the “world” barely notices.
- Christianity is growing very rapidly in a grass roots type of way in unexpected places like Afghanistan, China, and Ethiopia.
- The Bible does not give us the option to “opt out” of global missions. We are commanded to “go” to the ends of the earth (I had to repent when I was confronted with that truth!).
- We can feed people food and give people water but if we do not share Christ and His Gospel then our “mission” is incomplete.
- About 25% of the world’s population lacks any real knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- Prayer is the most important strategy for missions and world evangelism.
- Generous giving is a critical component.
- I am convicted: are we praying and giving to advance the Gospel?
Pakistan Flooding: Our Response
The devastating floods in Pakistan have dominated world news and it should burden our hearts as Christ-followers.
Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.”
As we attempt to gain and reflect the heart of God into the world, these tragedies become opportunities for the Gospel to advance. Because of your generous giving, we are able to seize this opportunity and help meet real needs … both physical and spiritual during this tragedy.
Rock Bridge will be contributing to Samaritan’s Purse which is a strong Christian agency that is currently working with 6 churches in 6 affected regions in Pakistan. These churches will be able to minister to 2000 families. {To learn more click here.}
Your giving back to God enables God’s love for all peoples and nations to be declared and demonstrated!!
Let God be glorified by our generosity. Let His name be declared to the ends of the earth!!
Let us pray for Pakistan!!
Monday is for Missions: the Unreached & Unengaged
In our world today there are some 12,000 distinct people groups. A people group is collection of people with similiarities such as language, culture, geography, etc through which the Gospel of Christ can spread easily.
6500 of these groups are “unreached” which means <2% of their members are evangelical believers in Jesus Christ. This effectively means that there is not an indigenous community of evangelical Christians with adequate numbers and resources to spread the Gospel within that particular people group. The total population of these unreached people groups represent 1.6 billion people or 25% of the world!! Many of these groups are also “unengaged”, meaning there is no church or organization actively working inside that people group to spread the Gospel!
To put it bluntly, almost every one of these people live and die without ever hearing the Gospel and there is currently no active work trying to change their situation!!
- Pray for these people groups.
- Pray for a new wave of missionary activity to come.
- Pray for an open and burdened heart as our church begins to wrestle with our responsibility regarding the unreached and unengaged.
- Visit www.peoplegroups.org or www.joshuaproject.net for more information.
Monday is for Missions
In 2011 we will have the opportunity to go on short-term missions trips with Living Water International. We are excited about this partnership with an amazing Christian organization seeking to bring physical and spiritual water (see John 4:14) all over the world.
These trips will involve both physical work (building or repairing a water well in a community) and relational/spiritual connections with the people. We will be getting more information out very soon about dates, costs, and how to sign-up. Please begin praying now for this trips and our long-term partnership with Living Water.
Monday is for Missions
As a church we have charted a course to be much more involved and intentional with mission work, both locally and globally. We are tripling our missions giving over the next 3-4 years, launching short-term mission trip opportunities within our congregation, and deepening our partnerships in our local communities.
We’re excited to announce a partnership with H.E.L.P — Help End Local Poverty. Through this partnership we are working to restore orphans in Zimbabwe affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. There are over 15 million children who are orphans because of AIDS, and 12 million of them live in sub-Sahara Africa! We are supporting an orphanage in Zimbabwe. We directly support these 5 children through our church budget:
Tendai (18 months)
Karen (3 yrs) — loves to play with dolls and go to church
Luke (11 yrs) — favorite activities include school, soccer and other sports
Kudzanai (14 yrs) — likes soccer, learning English, and geography
Cynthia (17 yrs) — like to cook, sing, and play with younger children
Please commit to praying for these 5 children, the work in Zimbabwe, and the H.E.L.P. Team!!