Eternal Investments

A few days ago I shared with you about my sister-in-law's passing (A Passion For Lost People) and our need to be concerned about the eternal security of those in our circle of influence.  Today, I'd like to add to that thought.

When I was a young pastor, I was invited to spend a week at a missions conference at The Peoples Church in Toronto.  It was a life-changing experience. 

The pastor paid for an airplane ticket, hotel room and rental car, providing me with an opportunity to see missions work in action.  Missionary after missionary told his story, speaking of the amazing grace of the Lord to transform others from death to life.  The conference changed my understanding of the Great Commission and deepened my desire to see my church in Oregon get involved in tangible outreach.

That was 1975.  As an unseasoned pastor, I challenged my congregation to raise $25,000 to build a church for others.  They responded, and we helped establish a church in Guatemala near the Yucata Peninsula.  Two years later when I went back for the dedication service, hundreds of people gathered for worship, bringing glory to God. 

Since that time, the two churches I pastored have invested millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of man-hours into reaching people around the world with the love of Jesus Christ.

I tell you about my experiences in order to challenge you.  If you have not taken the risk to reach beyond your church walls into a world that desperately needs God's help, you have missed a glorious opportunity to be blessed and to see others find hope in Christ.

I would not have the passion for lost people today if I didn't have those experiences in Toronto and Guatemala.  If you don't have that passion, find ways to get involved in missions ministry and experience what God is doing internationally.  If you already have this passion, share it with your congregation and your family.  Your passion will be contagious.

"The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord" (Acts 11:21)

Comments

[Mike Lundberg]

Thank you for the encouraging article, HB. Our church since 2003 has taken six short-term mission trips, 5 to Uganda working with children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic and one evangelistic trip to Honduras. The Lord has used us to change lives there and here at home. We will never be the same. Out of 21 people involved since 2003, 20 are still active in the minstry of our church. By the way we are a small church with an attendance of 130 but have trusted the Lord to provide for these trips. So small churches can have a global impact. The question I have for other churches is, "How great is your God?"