Advance the Gospel

Highlighted Bible Reading – Ezekiel 48

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Bible Highlight: Ezekiel 48:35
The book of Ezekiel ends with future prophecy. 48:35, the last verse of Ezekiel, gives us a most exciting prophecy. All of the city and temple that had been described, what is it called? “It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.” There is no better name!
There are a lot of cities in this world. I really enjoy many of them. On deputation, we have two favorites, San Francisco and Chicago. We have really enjoyed Cleveland, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Dallas as well. Each of these cities are special to me for different reasons. Obviously Atlanta is where I grew up and is special to me as well. We have lived in Arequipa and in Santiago. Both are special. We are giving our lives to serve God, reach others, train men, and plant churches in Buenos Aires. This is a most special city to me. There are lots of cities that come to my mind, but none of them have this name, “The LORD Is There”! The day will come when this city will be the most important, most special city in the world. It won’t be because the food, the weather or seasons, the landmarks, the sights, or anything else. The LORD Is There, that is what will make it the greatest city on earth!

Questions I am Asked: What Is Your Greatest Fear?

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It has been a while since I have posted anything in this series, “Questions I am asked”. Of late, I have been asked a number of times now a most strange question. I don’t recall being asked this question before a few months ago, but since then I have been asked 3-4 more times. This question is the subject of this post.
“What is the greatest thing you fear?”
I was a bit taken back. This is not a normal question, or is it? I have never thought about this. What is the greatest thing I fear? I have spent a lot of time focussing in on preparation, the “how to”, the language and culture acquisition, but I have not given any thought to what I fear. I was asked this same question in 3-4 different churches. So what is the answer to this question?  What is the greatest thing I fear in going to Argentina, in learning the language and culture, in proclaiming the Gospel, in starting churches, discipling new believers, in training men?
I don’t know. I don’t fear failure. My identity in Christ is such that “success or failure” on the mission field does not make my Heavenly Father any more pleased with me.  The disciples had power from Jesus.  They were sent out and excited to see the results of what went on. Jesus turned their eyes to something else, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20). Their “success” wasn’t what Jesus wanted them to focus on, Jesus wanted them to focus on their identity in Christ! I don’t fear danger. It seems that people have stories of the dangers of Argentina. I tell you that Argentina is as safe and as dangerous as any other country in the world. There are places in my hometown in Georgia that seem “dangerous”.  Bad things happen everywhere. We may certainly be robbed, beaten, or even killed, but those bad things are possibilities here in the United States. I don’t fear those things here, and I don’t fear them there. I don’t fear Argentina for my family.  My wife and daughters have adapted in Peru and Chile during our internship there. They got around, made friends, and enjoyed themselves. I know hard times are ahead, but I believe my family will adapt and get through those hard times. I don’t fear losing support (one Pastor told me that they asked a missionary what he fears most and his answer was loss of support once he was on the field). I believe God has called us, I have worked hard and God has (and is) giving the increase. I believe God has built and will keep our support.
“I don’t know” is not the best answer. There are things I don’t look forward to (like the struggle of finishing up language school or not understanding the culture as I learn and adjust) but I don’t fear them.  I leave you with a verse. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28.  Fear God, don’t fear anything or anyone else.

Preparation – Part V

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“If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.”
― Steve Jobs

What is preparation? We have focused on five different posts on preparation but I have failed to really define the term. Preparation is the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.

The “what” of preparation has been defined, we have spent a few posts on the how and where, but for this post, we will look further at a great place to prepare for the mission field.  The Our Generation Training Center (OGTC) is a great place to prepare for the mission field.  I know very few places like it. It is all about training for missions. Here are a few things that makes OGTC different and ideal for preparing to be missionaries.

  • One on One time with veteran missionaries.  At Our Generation Training Center, we have men you will spend time with every week (beyond just a classroom setting) that have been on the mission field, planted multiple churches that are continuing to grow, trained and sent out nationals to plant churches, and started Bible colleges on the field that continue to train men.  This alone makes OGTC worth seriously considering.
  • Time in a strong local church. While at OGTC, you will attend Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, GA.  Pastor Austin Gardner (founder and President of OGTC) has planted churches here in the States and on the mission field. Vision is active in training and sending men to the mission field. This is an optimal time for any student to see the inner workings of a model church.
  • Internship on the field with a proven missionary. You will spend 6 months of your time with OGTC on the mission field with a proven missionary.  We have missionaries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. You will learn the language, be involved in a church on the mission field, and learn from a missionary who is actively training men and planting churches.
  • Mentorship. We all need mentorship. You will be mentored by Pastor Gardner at OGTC. This goes beyond just being an instructor or Pastor.  Pastor Gardner will help build you to become the man you need to be to take the Gospel of Jesus to a people who have never heard it.
  • Get an education. You will have Bible courses where you will learn doctrine and get an understanding of what the Bible specifically teaches.  You will also have ministry courses. These courses are more practical “how to’s” like learning how to preach, operate a church, how to disciple and train men.
  • Get Experience.  You will preach and serve in different ministries at Vision Baptist Church. You will be involved with the staff in special days, outreach, and day to day serving in the church.  You will baptize and lead in the Lord’s Supper.

These are just a few of the highlights to prepare at Our Generation Training Center. For more information, or to register as a student of OGTC, please click this link.

Preparation is time. You can invest by attending the Our Generation Training Center to be prepared for the mission field God has called you to.

Preparation – Part IV

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“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
― Abraham Lincoln

Preparation is an important step on the way to success.  For the last few posts we have focused on preparing for the mission field.  As we continue this series of preparation we will focus in on preparing by actively serving.  I do not think it is a wise move for someone to go from Sunday morning church attender to instantly becoming a church planting missionary.  Men who surrender to the  mission field ought to already serve in active ministry in some way.  In my opinion, there is no better place for this than a Bible believing church that is involved in reaching their community and the world for Jesus.  Simply put, get involved in the ministry of your local church.  Volunteer as an assistant teacher of a class or teach a class.  Ask the pastor to go on hospital visits with him, attend any outreach visitations that the church may have.  Get involved in the teen ministry, offer to set up and clean up after special events.  Arrive early in preparation for the services and stay late to turn off lights and lock-up the church building.  Ask your pastor for any opportunity to preach and teach the Bible whether filling in for him, preaching a short five minute devotion before the offerings, or in some other venue.  Offer to keep the church up to date by highlighting supported missionaries during the midweek service.

Serving in your local church is an excellent way to get prepared for the mission field.  When a man publicly announces his call to the church, the church’s response ought to be excitement and agreement.  Common remarks should be made like “we knew God was going to do something with you” or “we knew God was going to lead you somewhere”.  Something is wrong if remarks like these are not made.  Get involved serving in your local church.