We are Jonathan and Devon Ames. Thanks for checking out our blog site!
We just completed 4 years of training with Ethnos360, in preparation for cross-cultural church planting in Papua New Guinea. We are excited to launch this January 2020, Lord willing!
Why??
No Access! – Every culture and every language (USA’s included) is desperately in need of a saving relationship with the Living God of the Bible. But of the 7,000 living languages in the world today, there are still as many as 2,500 unreached people groups who still do not even have access to God’s Word in their heart language or an understanding of how God has rescued a lost and dying world through the sufficient sacrifice of His own Son. We want to be a part of this! And we invite you to join us.
You see, God has intended for every believer to participate in His elaborate rescue plan for the nations (ethnos). There really aren’t any “missionary” verses in the Bible, but there are a ton of verses to believers and His Church. He refers to His Church with “outward-flinging”, centrifugal terms like:
– Ambassadors (2 Corin 5:20)
– Ministers of reconciliation (2 Corin 5:18)
– Fragrance diffusers (2 Corin 2:14)
– Fillers of His earth with other image bearers (Gen 1:28)
– Witnesses, even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)
Revelation 7:9-11 goes on to forecast a grand scene of worshippers from every nation, tribe, people and tongue. Think of how staggering that will be.
So really, our only questions before God become, “What is my role?” “How is God prompting me to be involved in making disciples of all nations?” “Is it going myself?” “Is it supporting others through prayer and finances?” “Am I personally growing in the grace and knowledge of Him, so that I can disciple my family, my community, and my world?”
Devon and I have enjoyed 13 years of marriage, and God has blessed us with 5 great kids. We spent 3.5 years in the USMC as a supply officer in Camp Lejeune, NC, then a total of 5 years in manufacturing management in Texas and Pennsylvania. Four years ago, we began the process of becoming better equipped for cross-cultural church planting. It’s been a real privilege to further align our thinking, beliefs, and life goals with biblical truth. Now, by God’s grace, we are ready to launch! To be flung out to Papua New Guinea and to play a role in seeing mature churches established amongst unreached people groups.
Throughout Scripture, we see that God is fond of giving impossible tasks to His believers, so that His strength, His ability, and His power is displayed for all the world to see. During our brief lives on earth, He invites us to participate and co-operate in His work amongst the nations!