Evangelizing WITH New Americans

According to the Pew Research Center, “Christians remain by far the largest religious group among legal U.S. immigrants, though their estimated share has decreased from 68% in 1992 to 61% in 2012.

http://www.pewforum.org/2013/05/17/the-religious-affiliation-of-us-immigrants/

Now, I don’t know how many U.S. immigrant are evangelicals, but I do know that there is a good number of us who have immigrated here as individuals and families having already put our trust in Christ alone as our personal Savior.

As immigrants and New Americans, many of us come from community-based cultures and part of our culture shock experience is getting adjusted to the high individualism found in the U.S. With this in mind, it’s important to realize that immigrants long to have a “community” in which they may belong. Most often, we find these communities among the ethnic groups with which we relate.

But, what about finding a local community of Christ-followers who live out love and grow together as his witnesses in this world?

One of my favorite passages in scripture is John 17:22-23: “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” Over the years, this has given me a growing passion to see the Body of Christ come together in evangelism so that the world would know why God sent his one and only Son. So, as we see more of the world coming to the U.S., what a wonderful opportunity our Lord has afforded us to be united in sharing the gospel!

As I’m sitting here at the coffee shop, typing away, I overhear a conversation between a couple business guys where one says, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!”  But, how about if we were to turn this saying around a little bit and say, “Go in God's way and serve!”

In other words, one of the lessons God must continually teach and re-teach me is to humbly serve others and see the beauty in the international Body of Christ when I include my ideas with others’, but in a mode of continuously learning from each other.

What if, when given the burden to reach out to a particular people group, we were to find out first if there is an ethnic church or group of believers related to those people with whom we may serve? 

Let us evangelize together with a mind to learn and a heart to serve. Let’s become proactive in learning together and serving alongside the growing number of international believers around us. Let us evangelize together “so that the world may know.”

[This article was originally posted for Evangel-Vision: http://www.evangel-vision.com/2013/09/evangelizing-with-new-americans.html]

On My Heart: Amazing Grace

"Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone."

As I go through my class on Soteriology this week, "grace" keeps coming up in my mind and on my heart. Then I came to realize that if our STM team is to truly have a "Heart for Honduras" we need to be reminded of how AMAZING God's grace truly is!

QUESTION: What does "grace" mean to you?
(I'm asking myself this same question)

_________________________________________

Amazing Grace

John Newton (1725-1807)
Stanza 6 anon.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Heart for the Lost

This is a pretty intense week for me as I take my last course at DTS (at least, for now). This course is on Soteriology (the study of the doctrine of salvation). It may (or may not) be obvious to you, but this is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart (which can give me ideas for a whole set of postings that could last the whole year).

One passage that we covered in class is from Romans 9:1-5...

I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying!), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed - cut off from Christ - for the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen, who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever! Amen.

My home church (Biblical Community Church in Richardson) is mobilizing its first short-term missions team ever. This team is made up of a family of four, a married couple, a single lady, and me--all going to Honduras on June 27 - July 6. At some point, the team decided to name itself "Team Heart for Honduras". I appreciate this name because I originally called it "Team Honduras", but the team eventually wanted to emphasize the "Heart" aspect of our short-term missions opportunity.

Today, I was reminded once again of why "heart" is important. Look at what Paul is saying above in Romans 9:1-5. Look at Paul's heart. This is a man of great COMPASSION! He wishes that he could be sent to hell in order to save others. Paul has told us in other passages to imitate him.

QUESTION: In missions (and in life), am I (and are you) willing to be cut off from Christ for the sake of the lost?

"The manner of God's work on the soul, sometimes especially, is very mysterious; and it is with the kingdom of God as to its manifestation in the heart of a convert."

First Things First

Gotta take advantage of the 'power source' that has been given to us!
(Acts 1:8)

1

1=100%=COMPLETE

Flying

A successful flight
is what I call a journey
when the landing's right.

-a haiku by Voltaire

Okay... I realize that it's been a while, but thanks to Dave, I decided to get back into posting my "inspirational" thoughts. ;-)

It's also been a while since I've written a haiku (I think the last one I wrote was in 4th grade). But, since our recent BCC Family Camp, a Board Meeting that we had this past Saturday, and some coffee time afterwards talking about flying, I've gotten motivated again.

Well, Shockwave, this haiku was written because of you! Just remember that part of teaching people how to fly is being able to bring them back down to earth...

"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."
John 17:14-18

Accomplishments (part I) - Evidence of the Flesh

We often think of accomplishments in the positive sense. But, an accomplishment is essentially anything that is fulfilled or achieved. There is a result!

Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:
immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery,
enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying,
drunkenness, carousing,
and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The word 'evident' means: plain or clear to the sight or understanding. But, although some things are plain or clear in our lives, how willing are we to completely submit it all to Jesus?

What are some results in your life?

Long-Term Impact and Short-Term Missions

Following is a write-up that I got from one of my friends in Honduras, Mark Fittz (Missionary with CAM International)...

Do short-term missions make a long-term impact? Because it's what I do, I’ve been thinking and reading about that question lately. Below are just a few of the benefits I can think of for utilizing short-term missions as a strategy for following the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
*A mission team provides new ministry opportunities for the indigenous church leadership. Many times a group of short-term missionaries can open doors for the local church that remain open long after the team has returned.
* A mission team can provide support that the indigenous church leadership through supplies, prayers and even finances.
* Mission team members get a chance to interact with church leaders from other cultures. When they return home these team members often become advocates for these national church leaders. There is nothing like a personal testimony from a team member to help a church get excited about partnering with national church leaders.
*Mission team members gain a bigger vision of what God is doing around the world and how they can be involved. The phrase "seeing is believing" applies here. Whether or not you feel called to missions after you return from a short-term mission trip, you will return with a bigger vision of God's Kingdom.
*Mission team members are stretched by their experiences, grow in their relationship with God and discover God can use them in ways they never imagined. Short-term missions allows people to get out of their comfort zone. When we are out of our comfort zone it causes us to rely on God. That realiance on God allows short-term missionaries to see that God will equip you for whatever task He calls you to in His Kingdom.
*Short-term missionaries often become long-term missionaries. Some studies show that 90% of all long-term missionaries view their short-term experiences as significant to their calling. Not all short-term missionaries become long-term career missionaries . . . not by a long shot. Yet those who go on short-term missions have experienced God in ways they may have never experienced Him at home. This often leads to deeper faith and a greater trust in God's plan.
*Hope can only be Hand-Delivered. You can put medicine, supplies, bibles and all kinds of stuff in boxes and send them across the world. Hope, however, can't be placed in a box. Hope must be hand-delivered. Short-term missions is often an avenue for hand-delivering hope to the world.

BOTTOM LINE: Short-term missions helps fulfill the Great Commission command to “Go and make disciples.” Go, and God will change your heart for the whole world!

'Triple A' Service!

Some things that missionaries need to do in the field:

ACQUIRE THE LANGUAGE -- learn how to communicate with the people

ADAPT TO THE CULTURE -- learn the context in which you will communicate

APPLY BIBLICAL TRUTH -- learn what to communicate and teach by example

And one last thing...

If you are a disciple of Christ, you ARE a missionary!

...but be a F.A.T. Christian!

F - FLEXIBLE
"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."
2 John 1:6

A - ADAPTABLE
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness..."
Matthew 6:33a

T - TEACHABLE
"...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Matthew 28:20a

Don't Be a Fat Christian!

"But prove yourselves doers of the word,

and not merely hearers who delude themselves."
James 1:22

What happens to your body when you eat a lot of meat, take in all that protein, and don't exercise? You become fat!

Well, we've been getting a lot "meat" lately when it comes to God's Word...

So, let's check our spiritual BMI!

Be a Power-Hungry Christian

(this is an article that I had written for our church bulletin a couple weeks ago)

Have you ever been given a seemingly impossible task and wished that you had any and all resources available at your disposal? What if the one who gave you that task was in control over such resources and made it all available to you? What would you do with it?

When asked to quote the Great Commission, most of us remember,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

But, in our daily lives, we often need to be reminded of verse 18:
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

The Great Commission, though seemingly impossible at times, is based upon and backed by the authority of the risen and exalted Lord who promises to be ever-present with His people. Even now, as He has taken His place at the right hand of the Father, we have been given the Holy Spirit!
“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

This month, as we discover how to reach “Our Jerusalem”, “Our Judea & Samaria”, and “The Ends of the Earth”, let us encourage one another to be “power-hungry Christians”! …hungry to be obedient to Christ who is the authority over all things and has given us the power to accomplish His will for His glory!

A 6,884 Foot Drop

Just got back from Mexico City on Monday night. This city is 7,347 feet above sea level with an approximate population of 25 million people (depending on who you ask). Well, now I'm back in Dallas (elevation = 463 feet). Thus, the "6,884 foot drop" back down from one culture to another.

I had a great time meeting with missionaries from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras... together, we prayerfully assessed our short-term mission program (at CAM International) and rejoiced in how God has been working in these various countries! Part of my role this past weekend was to encourage unity, brainstorm ideas for ministry, and begin implementing 'Standards of Excellence' for the mission...

"As short-term mission practitioners we strive to appropriately express God’s redemptive mission throughout his world (missio Dei), and to glorify him — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in everything we do. We acknowledge that many people are affected by our involvement in short-term mission — some positively, some negatively, some whom we may never meet. We further acknowledge that short-term mission participants include not merely those who go, but those who send (3 John 5-8) and those who receive (Matt. 10:40-42). We also acknowledge that short-term mission is not an isolated event — but rather an integrated process over time affecting all participants. This process consists of pre-field, on-field, and post-field stages. We desire to pursue excellence and to strengthen our overall effectiveness worldwide. We do so not in a legalistic or rigid manner, but in a redemptive manner by voluntarily adopting and committing ourselves to the Standards of Excellence in our short-term mission efforts."

But, in the midst of it all, I was continually thankful that God is the one who truly shows us the way...

"The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

What do you believe?

Jesus prayed to his father,
"that the world may believe that You sent Me".

So, what are we doing that makes the world believe
(or not believe) in Jesus?