A few months back, my wife and I had the privilege of participating in the Summer Youth Missions Camp with our national co-workers.  Our theme for that camp was #ethneforjesuskami, based on Rev. 7: 9-10.  Translated that means, Reaching People for Jesus is Who We Are.

What a blessing it was for my wife and I to serve together as counselors and where I also had the privilege of delivering one of the main messages to challenge the young people in attendance towards praying and giving for missions.  An even greater blessing was to have over 60 youth in attendance which included eight youth from the local church we attend.

That same weekend, and after many months of prayer and discussion, the name of our missions organization was officially changed to Ethnos360.  The following explains in detail why that happened (taken directly from Ethnos360/about us):

Why have we changed our name to Ethnos360?

Because we’re positioning to reach a changing world.

Our founders had a vision for reaching the world: “By unflinching determination we hazard our lives and gamble all for Christ until we have reached the last tribe regardless of where that tribe might be.” (Brown Gold magazine, Issue 1, May 1943)

That’s a far-reaching vision. A vision that represents God’s heart for the world. A vision that’s worth our getting passionate about and working together to make it a reality.

That vision hasn’t changed, but the world has. We face new challenges, and we are learning to face them together — relying upon God to unite His people to overcome them for His glory.

Ethnos360 is the name that anchors us to our foundations and points us to our vision.

Ethnos is the “nations” that Christ referred to when He commanded His followers to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and “…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all the nations…” (Luke 24:47). It’s the word from which we get ethnic, and it means people groups.

360 represents the entirety of the globe — all 360 degrees. Our goal is to go wherever in the world is necessary to see a thriving church for every people, not only to focus on one particular type of people group.

360 also represents the full-circle work of a Great Commission ministry. We begin with thriving churches sending believers to an unreached people group, and keep working until there’s a thriving church sending out believers.

Our vision is the same today as it was 75 years ago: A thriving church for every people. As we move forward, we’ll draw from those lessons God has taught us in our 75 years of ministry to pursue new opportunities opening to us. Opportunities to reach a changing world.

With that same vision and purpose in mind, my wife and I are grateful for the privilege of serving with such a dedicated and focused missions organization.  Reaching people for Jesus, and specifically the least reached people groups of the world, is who we are.  To each one that partners with us in prayer, giving, and alongside, Thank-you!

Revelation 7:9-10

⁹ After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; ¹⁰ and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  (NASB)