Kindling Vision and Passion

A few weeks ago, the Access Partners staff took some time to reflect upon the many ways the Lord has blessed us in the past year. There were many things to be grateful for! We were also encouraged to hear from a number of the church planters we work with who took time to write to us about what the Lord is doing in their region. Here are two excerpts from the emails we received:

“Without your help (and the help of like-minded individuals), we would be in a world of trouble. God calls many different types of people overseas and one of the problems is that some are not as business savvy as others. The short of it is that businesses such as yours are instrumental in taking the pressure off of workers to try and start new businesses while doing [church planting]  work, while learning the language and culture, while maintaining relationships with nationals, while balancing work and family at the same time.”

“We are so very grateful to all those who help support your efforts. Because of how you partner with us, we have been able to expand [the business] and make it a truly great opportunity from which [women involved in the business] can play a culturally appropriate, yet active, role in providing for their families.

When our project really got off the ground in late winter of 2007, the women on our team had a total of 3 relationships with [women nationals] (by “relationship” I mean that we were able to show up at their house and have meaningful conversations with them.) Four months later, in early summer of 2007, our ladies had relationships with 156 women.

…At a time when our future [in this city] is so unclear, God’s work is not. We have scattered the seed. Now we must wait and watch him cause the growth. The great thing is that we know He will. For the first time, [the women in this city] have heard the name of Jesus. That is an amazing thing.”

Some other workers reported on how many Bibles they were able to distribute, how many discipling relationships they have, and even stories about the house churches that have started. There were many joy-filled stories, and some tear-stained reports, as a few of them recalled times of persecution and difficulty. However, all the stories were punctuated by the overwhelming faithfulness of the Lord and His powerful gospel.

When we hear of these accounts that remind us of how the early church was forged in Acts, we are even more grateful for the privilege we have to take part in this work the Lord has entrusted to us. It kindles our vision for local churches in places most unreached by the gospel message and our passion to do our part in the Great Commission. It builds our faith to strive for 12 new business start-ups in 2009-2010, 3 of which are in cities that currently have no gospel witness.  These businesses will support an additional 40 church planters, and we are excited at the thought of being able to accomplish this by God’s grace.

Nonetheless, it is true that with all that is ahead of us, it is easy to get lost in the details. One of the leaders in the region we work in reminded all of us to make sure that as we look to the future, to see everything through gospel lenses:

“Allow this Christmas to rekindle your vision of the Gospel that saved you.  Step back from your work long enough to remember again the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of the love that brought God the Son from the glory of heaven to the filth of a stable, and then all the way down to the hell of the cross.  Remember again that by His life and death and resurrection you have been redeemed to the uttermost.  Remember again that He who did not spare His own Son, but freely delivered Him up for us all, will most certainly with Him freely give us all things.  Remember again that nothing can separate you from the love of this God who became a man to make you His own forever.  Remember, and fall in love with Him all over again.  This Christmas, ask God for a heart that is melted by His grace, soft and pliable in His hands, and red-hot for His glory, as you remember the Name of this incredible child.”

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
and His NAME shall be called
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD,
EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE.
Isaiah 9:6

She will bear a son, and you shall call His NAME JESUS
(YESHUA – YAHWEH SAVES)
for He will save His people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
And they shall call His NAME IMMANUEL
(which means, GOD WITH US).
Matthew 1:23

What truth! The gospel is surely enough motivation to do the good work God has allotted for us in 2009 and the years ahead. May we all have hearts that are “melted by His grace, soft and pliable in His hands, and red-hot for His glory” and may this result in the proclamation of the amazing gospel to those who have yet to hear it.