We will be with our family again today–our eighth different family reunion location in eight weeks. Over the past seven weeks we have visited and worshipped with our brothers and sisters in Tulsa, Lexington, Nashville, McAlester, Solola, Antigua, and Guatemala City. Except for Jan’s preference for English-speaking worship, each week has been a unique and wonderful blessing in our lives. God’s family is alive and well, even prospering, in countless places around the globe.
This morning I received a report from Mexico City–the new church planting team there (Continent of Great Cities, Baxter graduates) has had 53 baptisms since October, with 128 present last Sunday. Last Sunday I preached in a new church plant in the Historical Center of downtown Guatemala City, another Baxter graduate serving in ministry, 56 present for the 6th week of the church’s existence, four baptisms during the past week.
Yes, there are problems in every place. But when God’s people keep their eyes firmly focused on Jesus and God’s eternal purpose of seeking and saving the lost, many problems fade. I remember the words of a professor in my undergraduate studies, “Churches don’t have many problems when there are waves on the baptistery.”
The question is still a good one–for churches and for every Christian: “What on earth are you doing for heaven’s sake?”