QT: *Rest & Holidays: A time of Re-alignment* Acts1:8 Week 37: 06/09/2023. Wed
Rest & Holidays: A time of Re-alignment
https://www.esv.org/Acts1:8
Week 37: 06/09/2023. Wed
Month after month, we read the statement during service which included the phrase "We ... emphasize building relationships with ... people overseas to bring them to Christ"
https://www.s-word.net/church-mission-statement/
Do you know that the first draft of it more than 20 years ago did not have the phrase "people overseas"? It was added later along the way. That it was added later makes it even more emphatic—it was purposely added because this aspect was missing. The foundational values for this addition could be
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (ESV)
We see that crossing political, social and geographical barriers for gospel's sake remained at the core of the mission and purpose of the church these 2000 years.
At a pivotal point this week, where missions to be carried out is a collaboration of various people and resources within the organisation, it would be a good time of rest and reflection.
REFLECTION: How is this aspect of building relationships with "people overseas" "emphasized" currently by you or those around you? A plain reading of the statement points to not only the mere existence of outreaches towards "people overseas", but that they are also "emphasised" in the midst of many other activities of the church! (As the statement goes)
How are you participating in this part of the statement? Do you actively seek out (not passively wait) opportunities to participate?
