Marissa
Petite, brown-eyed, age 17 and shy, she reluctantly stood and faced the room full of adults. Choosing English from the limited words learned in only three months of being in the U.S., Marissa thanked people for their kindnesses to her family, including her Dad, Mom and two younger brothers.
Just as it seemed she had finished her speech, she found her passion. "I like the U.S., but I want to go home. Young people in my country need to know Jesus. I want to tell them about Jesus." Once started she forgot about her limited English vocabulary. By the time she had poured out her heart there were few dry eyes.
I had met Marissa in Cleveland, TN. Covenant's mission committee had made possible for me to host a dinner for all the missionary families at the Church of God Theological Seminary. Marissa and her family had come from Mexico for her Dad to earn a Master of Divinity.
This past weekend Marissa's family was joined by missionaries from China, Bulgaria, India, Puerto Rico, Zambia, Peru-coming from/going to Colombia, and a couple committed to Cambodia. Banquets with keynote speakers, seminars, panel discussions and a celebrative dinner were events providing a venue for fellowship, discussion, building friendships, and worship!
We were deeply moved as we witnessed missionaries giving in the offering. Missionaries also testified that they had been encouraged to promote missions work in their indigenous ministries.
Conference attendees made Faith Promises to work together and give regularly in the coming year to help fulfill Jesus' command to send the gospel to every people. We are mission driven.
Loving missionaries and giving to help our brothers and sisters in distant lands do the work of the Lord has side benefits. Imagine traveling a few miles to a common place, meeting people dressed in native dress of many lands, international cuisine prepared by native persons, and listening to stories as fascinating as those in the Book of Acts. Imagine learning about other countries and how the work of the Lord is done in different cultures and countries.
Did you know that the least evangelized state of India only has one Christian per 1,000 people? Did you know that Mexico has 200 different dialects? Did you know that many pastors in Zambia have no Bible....they walk to the nearest village/town where there is a Bible...study and prepare a sermon...and walk home...preaching in churches where no one owns a Bible? Did you know that a Bible in the native language of Zambia can be bought for a pastor for $15? Have you thought how small a gift could change the life of a missionary? Did you know that $25 can buy a goat and the profit of the milk can send a child to school for a whole year?
Did you know that the last 5 sermons Jesus preached were about missions—going and telling? Did you know that many pastors in Africa are too poor to pay for their children to go to school? Did you know that three Armenian pastors were put in prison last week and that one of them has been a guest minister at Covenant Church?
Did you know that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation? The hope of lost souls is to know Jesus. Men and women all over the world are looking for answers. The answer is Jesus.
Jesus shared the story of a rich man going on a journey. He entrusted his possessions to stewards. One hid the treasure. Two invested. When the Master returned, the one who hid the treasure of his master had everything taken from him and was severely punished.
One day each of us will stand before the Lord. We will give an account of deeds done in the flesh. We will answer for our time, talent and management of money. We will kneel before Jesus and confess everything we have done.
Marissa's burdened heart for her people is a song to inspire me. Margaret from Zambia calls me to help minister to women and children. Rachel of India invites us to help with ministry to orphans and widows.
Together we can and will make a difference.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Bare
Galatians 6:9 And Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.