BIG NEWS

BIG NEWS

I am quitting my job in December, giving up my apartment, and going back out on the mission field as a team lead for squad O (I think that’s the right letter) in January 2022 for three months. 

THE WHYS

“Why are you going?”

The “why” of evangelism always ties back to the great commission in scripture:

Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Originally, I was drawn to this route because it’s Expedition which focuses on reaching unreached people groups with the gospel and they were going to be starting off in Southeast Asia. For some reason, God has placed a love for that place on my heart.

However, several conversations later Brandon (squad mentor) asked me if I wanted to reconsider going. He knew my passion for that area of the world and it turned out we were not going to be starting out there and thought it might affect my decision to lead.

So now the question to me was “should I pursue going to that area of the world on my own? Or do I stick with the squad and minister wherever they go?”

After prayer with some friends, we still felt like this was the right way to go.

“Why don’t you ask your job for a leave of absence? It’s only three months.”

I have been wrestling with this decision intensely. Partly because I LOVE my job and I LOVE the people I work with. It has had its highs and lows for sure, but walking with God through this season has lead to a lot of spiritual growth and witnessing.

Another reason I’ve been wrestling with it though, I think J.I Packer describes perfectly here from his book “Knowing God”.

“We shrink from accepting a way of life in which we forfeit material security because we are afraid of being left stranded…

It is these half-conscious fears, this dream of insecurity, rather than any deliberate refusal to face the cost of following Christ, which make us hold back. We feel that the risks of out-and-out discipleship are too great for us to take. In other words, we are not persuaded of the adequacy of God to provide for all the needs of those who launch out wholeheartedly on the deep sea of unconventional living in obedience to the call of Christ…

We are afraid to go all the way in accepting the authority of God, because of our secret uncertainty as to his adequacy to look after us if we do…

Yet when it comes to cheerful self-abandoment in Christ’s service we dither. Why? Out of unbelief, pure and simple.”

Dang.

When I got to that part in the book, it kicked me right in the gut. It made me cry out like the father of the demonized boy in Mark 9 “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

When I decided to pursue going back out with AIM, the image in my mind was the elders around the throne of God in Revelation. What were they doing? They were worshipping the LORD and casting their crowns at His feet. 

I don’t want anything, including my blessings, holding me back from pursuing God and truly embracing this time of loving my squad, leaders, and the people we are going to meet.
 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THREE MONTHS?

God only knows.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

• Pray for training camp. I leave next week and I am so stinkin’ excited to meet these people they DON’T EVEN KNOW! I pray that everything goes well and that I’d be able to serve where I am needed.
• Pray that the transition from leaving my job is a smooth one. I haven’t told them yet since it’s only October, but I think this is going to hit my team hard because I love them and they love me. I’ve done my best to love them as Christ would and now it’s time to leave. “A time to reap and a time to sow.” A time to stay and a time to go. Help me to finish well, LORD.
• Pray for smooth border crossings. Everything is tricky in the world with COVID and we are going to do our due diligence and respect the rules in place i.e. vaccinations, mask wearing, test-taking, etc, but it’s still stressful for everyone involved.
• Pray for the squad that they would love each other even when it’s hard and that they would be one in spirit like Jesus prayed for all believers at the end of John 17. 
• Give. If you want to give money, they have the donation bar set up on my profile now and that’s the best place to donate.
• Share this blog. If you want to share this on social media or with a friend you think needs to read it, please do. This blog operates as a ministry as well. I hope I can continue to bless you with everything that God does and teaches me during this time.