What's In A Word?

It's such an exciting time when someone says, "I'm going on a mission trip!" The times of prayer and seeing God working in their lives are precious. Yet, sometime I wonder what "missions" actually means to them. Some people use it to describe that valuable trip to the inner cities of America. Other times it involves a trip to another country to build something or bring material relief to a community in crises. Other times, it describes someone dedicating months or years to bringing the gospel to unreached people.

God has always been on a mission. He began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, and it doesn't end with salvation. God continues to pursue our hearts. As God draws us deeper into worship and understanding of His heart, we are compelled to go to those who He loves and for whom He died.

Just like Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, we have been blessed in order to bless others. When God sends us outside the walls of the local church to those who have little or no access to the gospel, we call that

missions. "Pioneer missions" is probably a better term to differentiate from the broader usage now. Either way, bringing the gospel to the least reached is the passion which drives AIM.

What's in a word? Missions is the driving force of God's pursuit; that Jesus came to "seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

We are compelled to do no less.

If you would like to help us complete the building of the Children's Home go Here. No gift is too small. All gifts go toward changing lives with the gospel Jesus Christ.

Esther is 11 yrs old. Her father was a bonded laborer, which is little more than a slave. After a terrible beating from his landlord, he died leaving no way for her mother to take of her. Esther was brought to the Children's Home by a pastor in her area. Now living at the Home, she goes to school, receives regular meals, and hears about a loving God who cares for her. Please consider sponsoring her for only $30 a month, or one of the many other abandoned children you can read about on our Website


Prayer Points:

Sponsors for the many abandoned children in India
Many will be receptive to the gospel
Completion of Phase One of the Children's Home

All gifts are tax-deductible and are used 100% as designated

How Long Is a "Call"

Please fill in the blank: "I feel called to ___________." Some people would respond to that in terms of a career path, or maybe they would think in terms of number of years dedicated to ministry. Is that true of everyone?

In my life I have experienced what I refer to as the "progressive nature" of God's call. Alice and I felt God's calling into church planting in Alaska. After several years focused there, we then moved to Idaho where I pastored hurting churches. From there, God called us to start a new mission organization based in Oklahoma named Asia International Mission. Each time we would ask, "What happened to our original call?" This question assumes that God changed His mind, or maybe we misunderstood the call in the first place. Perhaps God had it right all along and this is just part B or C?

I have grown to understand that this "call" represents just a season in my life. "Calling" these days may be a period defined by months or a few years. I fully expect there may be something else on the horizon, and this may just be the next step toward it.

Do you believe this kind of understanding reduces the passion or commitment of the individual? I don't believe so, but it does present some challenges for a cross-cultural ministry team. How do you become proficient in the language in such a short time? How do you gain a cultural understanding?

To summarize, how do you fit in and bring the gospel to the least-reached if your commitment is only for a few years? So, what do you think? How long does a "call" need to be? I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)


On our October trip to India we will be blogging updates whenever possible, so be sure to check
back often. To leave a comment be sure to click on anonymous as your identity.

Phase One of the new Children's Home is coming along well. We do need some additional funds to complete the first phase. Go Here to make a donation and be sure to type New Children"s Home in the purpose box.


Prayer Points:
Please be in prayer for our trip to India on October 8th.
Pray for cotinued funding for the new Children's Home
Please add each weeks unreached-people group to your prayer list and join us in praying for the lost of India.

 

All gifts are tax-deductible and are used 100% as designated

A Visa to Make Disciples

If you've ever done any international travel, you're familiar with the phrase "Passport please." You slide the document across the counter and the immigration officer flips through your passport looking for the visa that allows you to enter his country. The visa is your authority for entry.

After His resurrection,  Jesus meets with His disciples on a mountain in Galilee and gives them these instructions. "...all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the  name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:18-20)

"All authority" provides the context for the focus of mission. Digging a well, building a children's home, or offering hope to the marginalized--it is all to be done with a desire to "make disciples." All our giving, going, and praying, all our teaching and building and baptizing, is to focus on making disciples of all nations.

Jesus doesn't just give us a task and send us out. Like a a pair of bookends, His authority and His presence support His Great Commission. His authority determines our direction and purpose, and His presence provides the power and encouragement to carry out the task of making disciples of All nations.

The challenge to His disciples was to make fully devoted followers of Jesus who worship at the throne of grace. And this is the challenge each generation must rise up and take. You've got the visa. Where will you go with it?

Be sure to check Here for next year's mission trips during the month of March.

Pray for the Unreached
People: Achari
Population: Unknown
World Pop: Unknown
Main Language: Oriya
Main Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%
 
"Declare his glory among the nations" (Psalm 96:3)



Prayer Points:
-Next mission team heads to India October 8th. Please pray for safety, and that God would use them to impact the lives of many for His kingdom

-Pray for a harvest of new believers

All gifts are tax-deductible and are used 100% as designated