A life with Jesus is a life of mission.
Hang on for an adventure that will take you where you have never been, to people that will amaze you, to see the hand of God at work in miraculous ways. We pray you will enter into our mission partnerships overseas by knowing our missionaries, praying regularly for at least one missionary and by planning to support missions in your giving.
Life with Jesus in the Gospels
Discipleship meant following Jesus, serving Jesus, learning from Jesus as He was obedient to the Father in His mission. Jesus sent out the 12 to preach, heal and cast out demons. That is a God sized challenge! He called them back again to rejoice together, to be refreshed and equipped. Later He sent out the 70 stretching them well beyond their capabilities as they learned to depend on the LORD with each new step, challenge and battle.
Even so, in the shadow of the cross, once brave ambassadors fled in defeat and despair. All this changed in the Garden on Easter Sunday. From the moment of the resurrection Jesus again rallied His disciples for the work of mission. Beginning with His simple instruction to Mary, “Go and tell the disciples” to the great commission, “Make disciples of all nations” Jesus pointed those who would follow Him outward. Outward to a lost world needing to know the One who could lead them victoriously out of the bondage of sin and Satan bring them into the Kingdom of our Savior.
Life with the Holy Spirit in Acts
It all started with prayer. The disciples had watched Jesus regularly go by Himself to pray all night, they had seen the power of His prayers and asked to learn to pray like Him . . . now Jesus had ascended to heaven . . . the disciples prayed together . . . waiting.
The Holy Spirit came in great power at Pentecost and in amazement the Gospel was preached in every language of those present. Later, when threats sought to silence the Name of Jesus, they prayed together and again the place was shaken by God’s power and they were given a bold confidence to speak of Christ. Soon with persecution scattering the saints, the blood of martyrs for Jesus prepared the land for revival and the wonderful news of Jesus covered the known world.
Life with Jesus in Mission Today
Nothing has changed, everything has changed!
• Nothing has changed in the message of the gospel and the saving power of Jesus.
• Nothing has changed in the call to prayer, testimony and personal sacrifice.
• Nothing has changed in the joy of sinners repenting and finding new life in Christ.
• Everything has changed in technology, transportation, translations of Scripture and resources for discipleship.
Today mission partnerships can be divided into six different categories.
- Pioneer Missions: Taking the Gospel to the last corners of the world where there is no local church and the Gospel has not been heard — emphasizing bible translation and evangelism.
- Church Planting: Gathering new believers in local church communities to make disciples who make disciples.
- Leadership Training: Training church leaders in God’s Word, in theology, church planting, and community development.
- Community Development: Coming alongside local communities to enable them to better meet needs and improve practical aspects of living. This may include everything from drilling wells and agricultural initiatives to public health and micro business ventures.
- Relief: Whereas development teaches people “how to fish”, relief simply provides the fish. Compassion ministries often help refugees, provide food, hygiene, shelter etc after a crisis occurs such as disaster or war.
- Crisis: This is life saving help given as a crisis is happening. Usually only those churches and groups on the ground at that place and time can provide this form of love in the name of Jesus.
Jump in and discover the most exciting, challenging, rewarding and blessed work in the world. It will cost you everything, it will capture your heart, it will grow your faith, it will bring eternal rewards. Most of all it will teach you the love and power of Jesus.
Thank you for joining us in this wonderful partnership of missions.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jonathan Steeper