Jan and I enjoy going back to places we have known in the past. In 2025 we plan to travel together to the Dominican Republic, to Ecuador and Colombia, to Honduras, and to several stateside locations. Going back to special places from our past is always a blessing. I am reminded of how my life …
Category Archives: Missions
Sunday: Contemplating “Us”
I have resumed international mission travels. I am thinking about the contrasts between the churches in the U.S. and the churches in Latin America. I share a few miscellaneous reflections. Before the pandemic, it was common to be in Latin America almost as many Sundays as I was in the U.S. The differences were often …
Sunday: “The ministry God has put in your hands”
In 2023, I have resumed international mission travels. Today I am in Ecuador! The next ten days will find me visiting several churches, speaking at a national men’s retreat in Colombia, and (hopefully) teaching at a Christian school in southern Colombia where the rector extended an invitation to speak to the students about spiritual formation. …
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Sunday: “Did you follow me or did you do your own thing?”
“Did you follow me, or did you do your own thing?”God’s eternal purpose is to bring people into and under the protective, saving Lordship of Jesus.The purpose of a church that is fulfilling God’s purpose is to be involved in saving people and keeping people saved. When we have succeeded in the treasure hunt, we …
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What Does God Want? (4)
What does God want? What is the message the church is called to share? I am thinking about ministry, I am thinking about mission work. I am thinking about local evangelism, worldwide evangelism. I seek more complete, clearer understanding. I wish to focus and sharpen the message the church. This is the last in a …
What Does God Want? (3)
What does God want? What is the message the church is called to share? I am thinking about ministry, I am thinking about mission work. I am thinking about local evangelism, worldwide evangelism. I seek more complete, clearer understanding. I wish to focus and sharpen the message the church shares with the world. How do …
What Does God Want? (2)
To be respected and reverenced, according to his nature, honoring who he is and recognizing who we are. Last week, we began a new series: What does God want from us? This is a series for churches and church leaders. This is also a series for Christians who want to share the gospel. This is …
What Does God Want? (1)
In my life, ministry, mission involvement, a few questions continually resurface. Answers are elusive. I constantly refine my understanding. This is not a new series, but neither is it an old series simply re-preached. This is the struggle on display. THE question. “What does God want?” A previous series focused on understanding God – God …
It’s Sunday Again: The Importance of the Church
The saving work of God in the world today is exerted through the church. Nowhere does the New Testament describe a saving work of God outside the church. Do not say, God has not called the church to greatness. It’s not enough to be great when God has made it possible for the church to …
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It’s Sunday Again: Doing a Lot with a Little
I spend a lot of Sundays involved in mission efforts–Mission Emphasis Sundays in the U.S., mission reports, teaching and preaching. I spend many more Sundays in various parts of Latin America. In the average year, I talk to a lot of churches and a lot of church leaders about missions. Speaking generally, U.S. churches are …
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