As we walked along the docks in South
Asia, I began to pray and reflect on the past season of ministry
and the coming one. There, we had our first experience seeing fishermen use
nets to bring in a catch from the shore.
As a young boy I had always envisioned being a fisher of
men, as someone with a fishing rod, baiting “Come, follow me…
and I will make you fishers of men.”
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| The Docks at Visakhapatnam |
Although it may seem obvious, there is a great deal of
difference between line fishing and net fishing. With line fishing you cast and
wait, often alone, catching one at a time. But net fishing is a different
activity altogether, offering the possibility of a much bigger catch. It even
changes the fishermen’s expectations as they approach the water. Net fishermen
cast in groups and bring in a net full of fish together, relying upon one
another for strength to draw it back in.
The distinction is valuable as we consider the ministry of
AIM. We desire to cast the gospel net wide and see large numbers believe in
Jesus simultaneously in order to build a church and allow the people to support
one another in grace and love. Line fishing is a solitary art, and while it is
always appropriate to cast a line out with the Good News, at AIM we
deliberately choose to work in teams so that we may help one another draw new
believers into God’s fold.
There is a promise in Jesus’ words to His disciples; promises
of multiplication (in contrast to addition) as new believers learn to cast
their own nets and draw others into the Body of Christ.
Please pray for Asia International Mission as we seek to
cast a wide net and allow the Holy Spirit to draw people into it.
--Russ Sharrock
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