The work of the gospel does not end until Jesus comes again. As churches partner with missionaries across the globe to advance the Kingdom of God, the goal is to complete the missionary task among each people group and place. IMB photo Why Exit? Missionaries sent out by local churches enter unreached and underserved places... Continue Reading →
Churches and the Missionary Task–Leadership Development
Importance of Leadership Influential speaker John Maxwell says that everything rises and falls on leadership. Whether one agrees with Maxwell or not, no leader would deny the importance of leadership. The Bible speaks about the importance of leadership through many examples. However, what is most striking about biblical leadership is not competence, but character. Much... Continue Reading →
Churches and the Missionary Task–Healthy Church Formation
IMB Photo I remember when my first child was born over 21 years ago. It seems like only yesterday. She stole my heart in that sterile delivery room with her red hair and chubby cheeks. As I write this blog, my baby is in labor to give birth to our first grandbaby. The birth of... Continue Reading →
Churches and the Missionary Task: Discipleship
The aim Missiologists often say, “God’s church doesn’t have a mission. Rather, God’s mission has a church.” The aim of the Great Commission is to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:16-20). This Great Commission aim is the reason every church exists. Discipleship is third in the missionary task (entry, evangelism, discipleship, healthy church formation,... Continue Reading →
Churches and the Missionary Task: Evangelism
In the world of missions people rightly ask, “What really does a missionary do?” In turn, many rightly ask, “What, then, does a short-term mission team do?” Back in February, I began a series discussing the missionary task which is explained helpfully by the International Mission Board (IMB) through their IMB Foundations Magazine. IMB... Continue Reading →
A Lesson Learned Long Ago About Encouragement
Our team packed into a couple of small vehicles and made our way down the pothole filled streets where we would then turn off the paved roads and down the bumpy one-way dirt roads. We traveled these dusty roads until we came to a clearing, where mud huts and grass roofs were scattered around the... Continue Reading →
Within the Family
One of the largest and strongest horses in the world is the Belgian draft horse. These horses are so strong that one Belgian draft horse can pull 8,000 pounds. What an incredible feat. Apparently, if two stranger Belgian draft horses are harnessed, they can pull 22,000 pounds. Notice that their combined strength more than doubles... Continue Reading →
We Are Stronger Together
If COVID-19 has taught us anything as Southern Baptists, it has taught us that we are stronger together than on our own. This truth is not new to us, but it has been an unexpected reminder in an otherwise challenging time. How has COVID-19 taught us that we are stronger together? Simply put, the Great... Continue Reading →
We Can Trust God Too Little…
While the days may be uncertain for us, they are not uncertain for God. In fact, as the Psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). Because God is our very present help in trouble, “we will not fear, though the earth should change” (Ps 46:2), or... Continue Reading →
Churches and the Missionary Task
The Great Commission was not given to a denomination or mission agency. It was given to the local church. Thus, churches send their own missionaries (Acts 13). I am not saying that denominations and mission agencies have no role to play in the Great Commission. They play a vital role if our understanding is that... Continue Reading →