Appreciate Mission Work

A word search  in my new book, Dancing with the Impossible, revealed 197 times the word mission or missions appears in the book.  Dr. Nina Gunter who endorsed the book wrote, “Reading this story and sensing his passion for missions will result in the reader developing a deeper level of commitment and engagement.” Not only will the reader’s faith in the God of the impossible but “your faith in the God of possibilities will be strengthened” (p.1). My hope in writing the book was that your faith would be strengthened and the reader would be encouraged to participate in the Great Commission in any way the Lord may lead. If you read the book and do not come away with a greater appreciation for how God might use your willingness to serve, I would be sadly disappointed. 

My friend, Dr. Desmond Barrett, said, “The reader (is led) on an odyssey that will inspire and challenge you to become Christ’s hands and feet, locally and internationally (glocally) even when it seems humanly impossible. If you have a heart for missions and a calling to be Christ to others, this resource will capture your heart and propel your spirit forward to be Christ to others” (p.2). After the terrible disaster of the earthquake in Haiti on January 10, 2010,  missions became “a reality to experience and live rather than a concept to learn or a story to tell,” assessed Dr. Pascal Permis. “Missio Dei (the Mission of God) demands eyes wide open. Clear vision generates warmhearted compassion and is always on the lookout for fresh, new possibilities to be the hands and feet of Jesus to needy people near and far”(pp. 99-100). 

I quote Rick Warren in the book who reminds us that “Mercy always begins in the eyes. You must see the need before you can meet the need. You can’t care until you are aware” (pp. 110-111). If you want to make a difference in the lives of the poor, you should go on a mission trip to a majority world country where you will see firsthand the needs of how most people in the world live. “On the mission field, the church is at its blazing best. God has blessed us greatly by planting us on the mission field.” Kennon Callahan once declared to a room full of Nazarene leaders, “The day of missionary pastor has come.” Mission outpost pastors are transmitters of a holy contagion. Travel there at your own risk.” If I could somehow be a “transmitter of a holy contagion,” the purpose of this book would have been realized.  

I need to practice what I preach, so I will embark on my 48th Mission abroad on September 17 to Georgetown, Guyana to do a Pastors’ Conference there and in the rainforest at Orealla. Your prayers and support are deeply appreciated.