August 2020
Upcoming Mission and Ministry Schedule
[Note: Since international travel is not possible at present, I am continuing my involvement in the mission work in Latin America remotely, in consulting, seminars, preaching, and teaching, using the technological and digital tools available.]
I have cancelled all international travel for the remainder of 2020. Some online events are included on the 2020 Calendar. I hope you will join me online for seminars, sermons, studies, and classes. (Contact me for details.) In faith, I am currently scheduling for 2021. Contact me to schedule an event.
Personal Contact: Essential for Taking the Gospel to Our World
In every generation, in every situation, the church is called and challenged to take the gospel to the world. Sunset International Bible Institute says it this way -- "Every one, every day, every place, every way." After being involved in ministry and mission work with the church across parts of seven decades, I confidently assert that the challenge of taking the gospel to the world will not be answered effectively by the corporate, organized church. The challenge will be met by individual church members -- Christians, disciples, believers. Few unbelievers are converted to Christ by mere contact with the church -- such contact is generally too impersonal. The essential element, the missing ingredient, is personal contact with unbelievers. Personal contact is a key to penetrating cities, counties, and countries with the gospel, the Good News about Jesus. Multiplying personal contacts must become the goal of every Christian. The personal contacts of a few staff and leaders, ministers and missionaries, will not take the gospel to the world. The challenge of establishing meaningful personal contacts with unbelievers must be accepted by all the members in the churches.
I suggest three areas in which the church as an organization struggles to communicate the gospel. The struggle has been brought into clearer focus during the pandemic.
First, the church as a whole struggles to demonstrate that God controls all circumstances.
The church can proclaim it, but the individual members must live out the truth that God is in control.
The belief that Jesus is Lord of the universe, in control of all circumstances, will not be proclaimed most clearly by spoken sermons but by lived-out sermons.
Faith that God's promises of provision are true will be demonstrated most powerfully by members.
Second, the church as an organization struggles to demonstrate hope.
Every crisis is an opportunity to present a message of hope. Hope is contagious, hope is personal. Hopeful people help others see hope. Many people can be brought to believe in the Savior in times of struggles, but the beginning point is personal contact.
The church will best use times of difficulty to reap the harvest, not by public proclamation, but by presence and persuasion, things done best by individuals who reflect hope through their words, attitudes, and actions.
Christians who have personal assurance can effectively share hope and assurance in the midst of confusion.
Third, in the midst of great opportunities to show the love of Christ, the church as an organization struggles with how to show Christian love.
Individual Christians regularly come in contact with many unemployed people and thousands of poor people who are in need to help.
Jesus calls his followers as individual believers to rise up and help the vulnerable.
Remember the saying, "People are not looking for a friendly church--they are looking for a friend?" A parallel saying is also true. "People are not looking for a church that loves them--they are look for a person that loves them."
Preaching alone is not enough. Practical works of love must accompany the message. The most effective evidences of love are not church programs and activities, but loving actions of individuals who respond to the opportunities of daily life.
There are many ways individuals help carry the gospel to the world. Invitations to church or church activities may be an appropriate and helpful first step in a few cases. But in many more cases, invitations to spend time together in homes, in public places, and in small groups are more personal and more likely to be accepted.
Personal contact plays an essential role in knowing, identifying, and helping people in need, not only with physical needs but also with spiritual needs.
In personal conversations and small gatherings, Christians can learn the personal stories of the unbelievers around them. Such are opportunities to meet needs, give support, encourage, and share Jesus.
What the Bible makes simple the church has made complex. It is time for every disciple to shine and be involved in the great task of making disciples of all nations.
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Also available at this link: Personal Contact: Essential for Taking the Gospel to Our World
