Advance the Gospel

About Argentina: What are Alfajores?

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AlfajoresArgentina is culinarily unique in many different ways. We have great beef and empanadas. Something else we are known for are “alfajores” (pronounced like “alpha-hoor-ace”, the singular version is with out the “ace” sound) are delicious little cookies (pictured to the right). They are made with two round cookies with dulce de leche (similar to caramel) fillings between them. Argentina is today the world largest consumer of alfajores, both in total numbers and in per capital calculations, being the most common snack for children and adults.

Alfajores are different in the different provinces of Argentina. For instance, in the Santa Fe province, they cover their alfajores in glazed sugar (they call them “Santafesinos”). Other provinces cover them in coconut, chocolate, or coco while others don’t cover them with anything.

It is a delicious cookie, and is a real part of Argentina!

What Can I Do To Get More Involved In Missions?

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We are continuing on in our blog series, “Questions I Am Asked.” From time to time I am asked by good folks who believe God wants them serving in their local church, “I don’t think God is leading me to the mission field, but how can I get more involved in missions while serving God here in the States?” That is a great question! That is the focus of today’s post.

A common misconception in churches across America is that the task of world evangelism belongs on the missionaries. You will not find any such teaching in the New Testament! The task of world evangelism does not lay on the missionary, but on churches, and when you boil it down, churches are made up of believers. The task of world evangelism belongs on believers. Not everyone will be missionaries, taking the Gospel to another part of the world, but every believer ought to be involved in world evangelism. The question is, “How?”  Here are a few ideas…

  • Go on mission trips. Your church supports missionaries, make plans to go spend a week with one of them. There are missionaries that are planting churches and training men in almost every part of the world, Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, North America, and South America. Getting a glimpse of what God is doing around the world will kindle a fire in you that very few other things will.
  • Correspond with your missionaries. Know them, know their names, their countries, their families. Email with them or use a type of social media to stay in contact with them. Ask them how you can pray for them. Send their families cards/letters, or even a small box of gifts (if possible).
  • Learn more about the countries around the world. There are all kinds of ways to do this.  Operation World is a great option. You can learn about the need of every country around the world.
  • Pray with other members of the church for your missionaries. Get others involved by praying with them for your missionaries before or after a church service. Knowing your missionaries and praying for them together will knit your hearts together for the cause of world evangelism!

There are many more things that you can do to get more involved in world evangelism. These are just good examples. God is working around the world, get involved in world evangelism!

Country of the Week: Afghanistan

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2000px-Afghanistan_on_the_globe_(Afro-Eurasia_centered).svg

General: A landlocked mountainous country with plains in the north and southwest, Afghanistan is located within South/Central Asia. Despite having numerous rivers and reservoirs, large parts of the country are dry. two-thirds of the country’s water flows into the neighboring countries of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan. Languages are Pashtu (used by 50% of population), Dari (Afghan Persian, used by 70%).

Population: 31,108,000 (estimated 2013)

Gospel Need: Largest Religion is Islam

  • Islam – 99.85%
  • Christians (those who believe in salvation by faith in Jesus) – 0.0% (a few over 8,000 believers, which is less than a tenth of a percent!)

Pray for Afghanistan that the light of the Gospel will pierce through the darkness. For more information, click here.

Afghanistan_District

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!