From an interview with TableTalk:
Although there are many, is there one lesson the Lord has taught you that you would care to share with us?
I think the one great lesson the Lord has taught me over these years is that the importance of the family and the local congregation supersedes every other relationship to which the Christian is called. Christians demonstrate the glory of God and the power of the gospel by the way we marry and stay married, by the way we raise our children, by the way we love each other, and by the way we live faithfully in the congregation of believers. In the end, I fear that far too much energy is devoted to and far too many hopes are invested in institutions, programs, and projects that will not last. The centrality of Christ’s purpose to glorify himself in His church and the blessings of God that are directed to the precious gift of the family — these far exceed our other allegiances.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Necessaries of a Mission Trip
Missions work is kingdom work. Kingdom work is spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are called to go out to all unbelievers and share with them the truth of the finished work of Calvary. That is the essential of what the WOARP Youth are doing for the Appalachia mission trip.
In order to do this sort of work, we need money. When we start raising funds for Appalachia, people will usually ask me "how much does it cost"? I don't like giving non-committal answers, but I usually have to. For this trip, there are a lot of variables we don't know about that will affect the cost of the trip. For instance ...
How much will diesel gas cost July 4th week? At this point, we don't know - and it doesn't look good!
How much will our food and supply costs be? Again, we don't know - but, all indications is that it won't be getting much cheaper anytime soon
Those are just a couple of questions that we can't answer that will have a direct effect on our costs for the trip. We believe that the safest number for us to aim for is $3000-$4000 in support.
Thankfully, we serve a God who is gracious, merciful and abundant in giving to His people. We decided this year to have just one church fundraiser. Some of the church leadership believed that one fundraiser would be enough - and that would free up the group to spend more time preparing for the trip itself instead of raising money. I was a little nervous how this would turn out. $4,450 later, I'm not so nervous! The Lord has graciously provided for us! And, the support is still coming in. What a great affirmation of the work we believe we have been called to!
So, at the end of April/beginning of May, we are well ahead of our fundraising goal. Of course, we don't know how much the trip will cost us this year ... but we trust that the Lord will provide, just as He always does.
Thank you to all who have given to us - and to all those who will give to this trip. We really do appreciate it.
One other thing - money isn't the only goal for us. Actually, our main goal is prayer. Prayer is what will make or break this trip. The best way you can support this trip is by prayer. Please pray for us. Pray for us often. Pray for the Appalachia kids - and pray for them often. Pray for everything Appalachia related - and pray for it often. We do not receive because we do not ask. So, please ask, seek and knock for the Appalachia needs.
In order to do this sort of work, we need money. When we start raising funds for Appalachia, people will usually ask me "how much does it cost"? I don't like giving non-committal answers, but I usually have to. For this trip, there are a lot of variables we don't know about that will affect the cost of the trip. For instance ...
How much will diesel gas cost July 4th week? At this point, we don't know - and it doesn't look good!
How much will our food and supply costs be? Again, we don't know - but, all indications is that it won't be getting much cheaper anytime soon
Those are just a couple of questions that we can't answer that will have a direct effect on our costs for the trip. We believe that the safest number for us to aim for is $3000-$4000 in support.
Thankfully, we serve a God who is gracious, merciful and abundant in giving to His people. We decided this year to have just one church fundraiser. Some of the church leadership believed that one fundraiser would be enough - and that would free up the group to spend more time preparing for the trip itself instead of raising money. I was a little nervous how this would turn out. $4,450 later, I'm not so nervous! The Lord has graciously provided for us! And, the support is still coming in. What a great affirmation of the work we believe we have been called to!
So, at the end of April/beginning of May, we are well ahead of our fundraising goal. Of course, we don't know how much the trip will cost us this year ... but we trust that the Lord will provide, just as He always does.
Thank you to all who have given to us - and to all those who will give to this trip. We really do appreciate it.
One other thing - money isn't the only goal for us. Actually, our main goal is prayer. Prayer is what will make or break this trip. The best way you can support this trip is by prayer. Please pray for us. Pray for us often. Pray for the Appalachia kids - and pray for them often. Pray for everything Appalachia related - and pray for it often. We do not receive because we do not ask. So, please ask, seek and knock for the Appalachia needs.
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