Recently, in a discussion with our Brazilian leadership team, I was able to reaffirm the things that we value and the things that are helping our movement grow. It would be prudent to share some of those same thoughts here as well.
And, after doing ministry stuff for years, I can clearly say that there are no easy cut and dry formulas.
1) Reaching out, specifically to remote areas. We sense that our mandate as a movement is to reach out to the ends of the earth, to the areas in which there is no witness for Jesus Christ. Genesis 12:1-4 gives the first clear call that the Gospel is for all men. Psalm 96:2-3 speaks of being intentional in that reaching out. And Acts 1:8 is the mandate to take the Gospel everywhere.
2) Reproducible, making it simply. We see it time and again in our secular society, from McDonald’s to Wal-Mart to school systems, which being reproducible is a quality that will help something grow. Matthew 28:19-20 speaks to the need of clear teaching and instruction as well as 2 Tm 2:2 speaks to the need of making something clear so it can be passed on to other – reproducible.
3) Releasing – empowering others to have success in that which they have learned. Equipping and having confidence that the work will move forward. Matthew 9:35 – 10:42 speaks to this subject and well as part of the fundamental premise for the writing of both the epistles of Timothy and Titus. Pass it on, give others the opportunity, and allow others to grow, allow room for mistakes to be made.
This work is primarily a spiritual work. For our work, we bless that which God is blessing. Who is God using, how is he being used, what is happening? We make an effort to bless them, providing also the tools that will make the job easier. One of the primary reasons that this region still has unreached people is the resource barrier. There are people here that have the heart, the calling, the ability, and the desire to do the work. They lack the material resources, in the form of boats or motorcycles and other simple resources for helping to reach out. That is where we can make the difference in the big picture in speeding the coming of our Lord.
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