Short-term Trips Matter

Jesus trained many disciples! And twice during his ministry in Galilee, he sent them out, two by two. At first, Jesus gathered twelve men and taught them. They watched him preach, teach, heal the lepers, cast out demons, and raise the dead. Then, it was their turn to go out and do the same thing! Twelve men going out two-by-two formed six teams. (Luke 9:1-6) Imagine having two strangers come to your village and, before the end of the day, find your lame servant has been healed. For the people living in that home, and for us today, short-term trips matter!

Within a year or perhaps a little more, the number of people learning from Jesus grew substantially. No longer were they simply The Twelve. Again, Jesus sent his followers to the villages. There were 72 others this time, which means another 35 teams going from village to village. (Luke 10:1-20) This indicates that the number of disciples grew dramatically.

I love the incredibly dynamic conversation between Jesus and these 72 disciples after they came bouncing back. “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!” Jesus corrected their enthusiasm. Full of joy through the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” (Luke 10:17-22)

Short-term trips. The New Testament shows a distinct progression in missionary work. In the Gospels, Jesus sends out his disciples twice. In the Book of Acts, the apostles gradually go further. The missionary work we now consider standard in organizations such as LAM is primarily based on the life of Saint Paul. He made four well-known journeys.

Men and women make many journeys, sent from their home churches for two or three weeks. Sometimes, a person takes a whole year to learn Spanish, Latin American culture, and life in local churches.

I’m all in favor of this kind of participation.

Short-term trips matter.

 

Single mother with eight children and a friend.

Poverty Matters. The face of poverty appears in many places, forms, shapes, and sizes. And how Christians think about poverty is a window into understanding Christ’s demands for discipleship. Poverty matters!

One of the earliest Bible stories children learn at home or church is about Joseph in Egypt. He interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, explaining that the coming seven years of abundance were to be followed by extreme drought. People and animals would die unless there was a plan to sustain them. Joseph, mightily used by God, saved Egypt from disaster and brought his family together during an excruciating famine. During that great tragedy, his family was healed through forgiveness and reconciliation.

Ezra and Nehemiah both faced incredible challenges. They had to rebuild a nation after the Exile. They faced powerful opposition. The poor were once again enslaved, and communities lacked food and insufficient protection from enemies. Haggai, the prophet who lived during that terrible time, spoke this way about inflation: “You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it” (Haggai 1:6).

Children left to care for themselves during the day

Jesus ministered during Rome’s powerful control of the Jewish nation. The impact of Christ’s life is the basis of Western civilization. His teaching raised faith and obedience to the highest levels. Jesus addressed situations that involved poverty, transforming the mentality of millions. Unfortunately, at that time few followed Him, but His words continued to ring out over the centuries: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). To obey Jesus was to care for others. Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, invite the stranger in, provide clothing, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. These six types of poverty show how many ways His followers can help individuals.

Widow with eight children and church group

Later, Christians following Christ’s directives founded schools, hospitals, and countless other
institutions. The impact of the Christian response to poverty shows how the gospel can be expressed in almost every nation. Poverty Matters. So does our response to it. In the biblical situations mentioned above, you will observe that individual and group actions were taken to relieve poverty.

James, the brother of Jesus Christ, spoke out forcefully against discrimination, a principal cause of poverty. Discrimination soon leads to corruption and greed: wide express lanes that end with impoverishment. To show favoritism is to sin (James 2:9.) Poverty matters!  But mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13), and our lives are to display compassion and generosity. “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go in peace, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

In the same way, if it is not accompanied by action, faith by itself is dead” (James 2:15-17.) Clearly, the truth of the fantastic evangel, the gospel, comes alive when Christian compassion reflects the love of God. God blesses work done in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

   

  

Sustainability Matters

Growing up at our home in Limuru, Kenya, my mother loved working with widows and orphans. Early every morning, women from a nearby village walked to our rented property. My parents rented a six-acre farm and believed God could continually supply the funds to hire a dozen women. My mother asked widows to care for the crops from 8:00 until noon.

Then, she paid each one a full day’s wage. The women cared for their children the rest of the day. Harvest season arrived with corn, carrots, beans, lettuce, vegetables, and fruit divided among the women who had been gardening.

Mother believed funds would come for 12 women, but she and my dad were never guaranteed the money would automatically arrive. They belonged to Africa Inland Mission, a “faith mission.” During the years we lived there, God honored their faith. The women were paid in cash and on time. For widows and orphans, sustainability mattered. They needed food on the table and clothes for little ones.

The concept of sustainability in Christian ministry is both simple and complex. Consider a pastor in a local church. He trusts the finances will be maintained through a faithful membership. However, the youth department may go up and down in numbers, and there may not be a willing couple to take on the youth in the coming year. For youth and families, sustainability matters.

Our daily lives in ministry deal with theological tensions and apparent contradictions. On the one hand, Jesus Christ tells us to ask, knowing we will receive what we’ve asked for. So, we say, “God will provide all our needs.” But being responsible stewards of God’s work also involves planning. So, we also say, “We develop skills, anticipating future needs.”

All my life, I’ve been interested in church growth. The tiny African church building where I was saved accommodated about 200 people, but another hundred or so crowded when services began! Years later, I returned to Kabartonjo, finding an enormous church building. It seats ten times as many people as the first chapel.

Further, another 100 churches had been organized as new congregations, with many trained as new pastors. Leaders believed in God for financial needs and made well-thought-out plans.

In Costa Rica, near San José, a school program serves more than 900 children. Many of them live on the Roblealto property. Dairy and poultry farms provide much of the income needed for the Roblealto Children’s Program.

Long ago, the Latin America Mission realized sustainability matters. Because of careful planning, more children are cared for. Sustainability involves both faith and wise planning.

 

Children Matter! - Has a crying baby ever disturbed you during a church service? Did you ever see children running around during worship, wishing their parents would control them? How did you feel about children and infants creating a fuss during prayer?

Amazingly, this happened in the Temple in Jerusalem only days before Jesus was crucified. The chief priests (like bishops) and teachers of the law (like pastors) saw the remarkable healings Jesus performed, and the children started shouting in the temple area. “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they called. The religious leaders were indignant! For those priests, Children didn’t matter.

But to Jesus, they did. He wanted children to be themselves, especially if they were worshiping God. He had just healed the blind and the lame, and everyone was excited and thrilled at the power of God. “Yes, I hear what the children are saying,” Jesus responded. “Have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” (Matthew 21:14-16). Children Matter in times of praise.

Scripture has much to say about children! The verse Jesus quoted comes from Psalm 8:2. The Lord’s majesty over the whole earth is being lauded. In the Ten Commandments, children occupy the central instruction point. Commandment number 5 reads, “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12). Children Matter, for they help to create a prosperous, just, and stable society.

Unlike North America, Latin America is full of children! In Bolivia, an astonishing 40% of the population is under 15. In Guatemala, the figure is 33%. The number in Honduras is 31%; in Ecuador, 26%; in Venezuela, 24%; in Colombia, 23%; in Mexico, 22%; and in Costa Rica, Chile, and Brazil, 20%. China and Russia are about 17%. In Canada, the figure falls; 15% of our population is 15 or younger.

This means there are almost three times as many children per 100 people in Bolivia. Japan has practically the lowest ratio in the world at 12%. Globally, that figure is about 25%. (Source: Wikipedia – Individual countries) Children Matter in every sphere, in families, schools, and society.

Children Matter to the Lord. Each child is loved by a Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ died for each one. Each child has an angel appointed for care and protection. Children are lovable and vulnerable. Children take time and demand endless patience. Their moods can change instantly from showing affection to saying hateful things. The Scripture says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord; children are a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3)

As we enjoy summertime, often with greater contact with children and youth, let us thank the Lord for children, grandchildren, adopted children, foster children, school children, problem children, super-achieving children, healthy and unhealthy children, sad and happy children, and any other child that comes under our care. We commit ourselves to making an even more significant impact on families' lives in the coming school year. Yes, Children Matter!

 

Pastoral Care Matters - The Kenyan preacher’s words gripped me one night. “How many stars can you see? So many! And God knows the name of each one. He has a big book, too. In that book, he has the names of all who love him. Do you love the Lord Jesus? Has your name been written in that book?”

At age 4 and a half, I wanted to love the Lord Jesus. That was probably my first insight into how a pastor can communicate God's deep things to young and old. Pastoral care matters in youth and children’s ministries.

I’ve been privileged to know many notable pastors in my ministry. I consider them my mentors. I learned another aspect of pastoral responsibilities from each one. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dr. Thomas Schultz spent hours each week exegeting the Scriptures, whether from the Hebrew or Greek. In Vancouver, Dr. Ward Gasque excelled in hospitality; years later, I recall conversations in his home. Dr. James Houston never tired of giving himself to others. Pastoral care engages intellectually.

Cathie and I were part of a loving, vibrant, growing fellowship in Vancouver. Watching Pastor Baxter, I learned much about home and hospital visitation. I realized that something had been left out of my DNA structure. He could recall the names of people, even years after having met them. Dr. Ben Gullison’s ministry with seniors was the best I’ve ever seen. Pastoral care matters to individuals.

I learned about church planting in Brazil from Pastor Jonathan de Oliveira and Pastor Williams Balaniuc. Many aspects of evangelism, only occasionally mentioned in Canada, became daily topics. We rejoiced, for in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, the 12 churches and 11 pastors in 1977 multiplied to 115 churches and 250 ordained pastors by 2020. Pastoral Care impacts evangelism and discipleship.

I always appreciate learning from others. In July 1985, a dozen pastors gathered in Corumbá, Brazil, on the border with Bolivia. From that week of prayer for the region's impoverished, the Pantanal Project along the Paraguay River grew. This led to ministries with abandoned street children. Later, in Istanbul, Turkey, we began a decade-long ministry with refugees, people fleeing 65 nations. Pastoral care engages with the poorest, the hopeless, and the helpless.

I constantly thank God for the leaders who showed me greater depths of obedience to the Lord.

Worship Matters

Worship of our holy, loving God is the most critical thing we can do. From the beginning of the Bible to the end, the theme of worship permeates every book. Putting God first and listening to His voice was what the Lord wanted. But when our first human parents failed, sin entered the world. Immediately afterward, the first violent action happened; it was over the question of HOW God was to be worshipped. Worship Matters

As we turn the pages of the Holy Scripture, one at a time, we go past page 1,000. And there, on the final pages of the Bible, we have numerous insights into who is there, the place, the actions, and what we will do until we finally worship God forever. When we are with God for eternity, our worship will be one of service, though we can’t imagine the details now. God will dwell with his people and wipe away every tear from our eyes. The regular flowering of beautiful trees will bring healing to the nations. We have come full circle from the Garden of Eden to the New Garden in heaven.

I love to follow the names of God through the Scriptures. And here, we find an unusual combination of words. “He said to me, ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty, I will give him a drink without cost.” Rev. 21. 6

The ancient Greeks upheld "The Iliad," for it taught the ancient world about Hellenistic religion and culture. In everyday language, this book, the history of Troy and the story of the gods, was called the “Alpha and the Omega.” Why? The first chapter starts with the Greek letter Alpha, and the last begins with Omega.

Jesus challenges that entire system of godless worship. Our Lord is the beginning and the end. He is the one we adore and worship. We bow down before him with joy, acknowledging him in all things to the glory of God the Father.

Worship is central when we are concerned with a unique treasure: passing along the teaching of the Scriptures and preparing men and women for a lifetime of pastoral work. Theological education in North America requires many years of investment. We are blessed with seminaries, colleges, institutes, and local programs.

However, in most of the world, including Latin America, only a few can afford the lengthy process of Western Education. Consequently, many local pastors in cities, towns, and villages wait for further training. Training others involves many steps, including strengthening relationships between students and teachers. And we must remember the fantastic abilities of children. They learn to sing, memorize, and join in with adults in praying. At every age, worship matters!