Entrusted to Go

Often the first questions people ask when they are thinking about mission life is, “Where can I go?”, “What can I do?” Or, tangentially, “How do I know that what is on my heart is what is on God’s heart? And how do I even know what God has put on my heart anyway?!” Good questions, all of them.

If questions like these keep you up at night, remember this… if you are interested in the ‘going’ part of global missions, you are one of very few. Believe it or not, only one follower of Jesus in every 20,000 takes the good news of Jesus to places of the world where people have never heard of Him. So if there is a stirring in your heart about missions, a longing to be a part of the solution for people who don’t know Him, questions can be a catalytic starting point. Maybe you’ll be one of those who dares to go to one of the hardest places of the world… so that others who, to date, haven’t had the chance, can hear life-changing news! If that’s you, we’d love to journey with you, help you take another step, engage with your questions, throw some ideas your way.

“How do I know what God has put on my heart?” He’s given you – entrusted to you – His heartache for those who haven’t had the chance to hear. Unengaged Peoples. Groups of people who haven’t heard that Jesus is Lord or who don’t have a church community among them strong enough to spread the news without help. Help from people willing to cross cultural barriers, learn another language, and live Jesus ‘out loud’ in a way that makes “all the difference in the world,” (F. Beuchner).

You might serve as a doctor in the heart of Africa, work with slum dwellers in India, teach English in Thailand, surf in Spain, clean prison cells in Bolivia, or do business in the Middle East. Doing what most are not doing. Living Jesus out loud in even the hardest places.

 

For more information, visit: www.pioneers.org.au

Next blog: What’s it like working with hippies in South East Asia?

Making Jesus Famous in Thailand

They are an unassuming family from Queensland. Mum, Dad and two teenagers – one very cool, beautiful daughter, one imaginative, quiet son. They took risks and relocated to Thailand to make Jesus famous, their style. They are people of genuine influence, with their warmth and unbelievably generous hospitality to university students spreading out like the rising sun on a cold morning.  Students come to them to learn English through a classic classroom setting or social gatherings with games, toy cars made out of industrial piping, electric fly swatters constructed from tennis racquets, or conversations that touch the heart. 

They have chosen to live in an area where there aren’t any other foreigners, because they want to be surrounded by Thai people to learn the language well – all four of them – to be immersed in local culture. Although Australian, they consider Thailand their home.

Their house is more often than not packed with students and guests. People are drawn by the character of the family. Dad holds a PhD and teaches in his field at a local university. His intellect is apparent, his analytical mind bringing understanding to cultural questions, team or strategies for doing life and work there. Mum is ebullient, effervescent, drawing people to her like moths to a bright light. She loves being present with people in ways that give life and hope. They all reflect Jesus well, making Him famous in small and big ways alike, living Him out so that others can know Him too.

For more information visit: www.pioneers.org.au                      

Next blog: Entrusted to go

Is Jesus Famous?

 Fame! I want to live forever! Well...at least have my 15 minutes. We crave fame. Our culture tells us to. In an era where the most important person in the world is you, we want recognition, no matter how lame or crazy or stupid the things we say or do are. Anything to make a headline. ‘Reality TV’ reigns (Britney's ex? Seriously?), sexting no longer shocks, Bieber is emulated, and Lady Gaga is our mentor. So where exactly does Jesus and His fame fit into all of this?

I like what Isaiah 26:8 says about this:  Yes, Lord… your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

Fair enough, the people of Israel wanted God to reveal His power for their benefit. But it was all mixed up with the fact that He was their God and they were His people and they desired His renown because, on a good day, they loved and worshipped Him.

Do we want that, too? Do we long for Jesus to be famous – here in Australia and everywhere else earth? Do we covet Jesus being known? Do we crave for His fame to spread – and for way more than 15 minutes – for all eternity? Do we want to be a part of that as His people?

Or is He famous enough?

That’s the challenge of world mission. And it’s part of what it means to be a missionary: making Jesus famous, even in the hardest places, among the most endangered people alive.

For more information visit: www.pioneers.org.au

Next blog: What’s it like making Jesus famous in Thailand?