Recently we were privileged to visit the Pacific Ocean and watch the waves pounding against the rocky Oregon shoreline–part of God’s magnificent creation. The tides would change, and we would see other rock formations or sandy beaches uncovered, or the ocean spray spraying higher than ever. Every wave rolling in was different either in direction, force, how it would break, how long it would last, and how much spray or foam might be created, not to mention the noise of waves coming crashing in.
But a few things remained the same…there was always more water where those waves came from, they continued rolling in whether the wind or tide changed, and it was just as amazing to watch when we left as when we arrived.
In Missions today we hear about changes…Missions that change names, like NTM has done in changing to Ethnos360, or strategies, or training, or the way missionaries are supported and sent out and then guided through the process of learning culture and languages in preparation for teaching and translating God’s Word…changes in leadership, or leadership style, changes in how to best involve others in reaching the lost, responding to the younger generation–the future missionary force…
But a few things remain the same: Our God is still the same, and He is still just as desirous of seeing lost people trust Christ as their Savior as He always has been! The needs around the world are still ever present, and will be until He comes for us–esp for those unreached people groups to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel in their own heart language. And the fact that God still desires to use us, His people, to reach those that haven’t heard! And it’s just as amazing to see God at work today, in hearts and lives of people transformed by the Gospel!
Just like those changing ocean waves, the places we go as missionaries, and the people who go to reach them, may be different today than years ago, but missionaries are still needed today in order to see them reached with the Gospel. Who will go?! That’s the challenge we face as we continue to present the need for missionaries around the world as Mission representatives here in the NW. Would you keep praying Matt. 9:37-38 with us, that God would raise up more laborers for His harvest fields?
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