The Face of Missions
I (Joyce) recently went with a team of 2 colleagues and 3 people from churches in North America to conduct a strategy review of Resonate’s involvement in the Nepal field. As the picture was taken, I was thinking, “Aack, the plants are going to block it!” But how totally right the composition is: a flame is in the forefront, framing everything. It illustrates how the Spirit is moving mightily in Nepal burning brightly in the hearts of people to bring them to saving faith--even in the face of persecution and hardship.
But there is more in the picture. I also see the face--or faces--of mission. We can see some gifted, divinely appointed Nepali pastors, leaders and teachers. There are workers from India and Korea to Nepal. We have a pastor of a North American church that has a sister church relationship with a group of churches in Nepal and representatives of another congregation that has adopted one of the Nepali pastors as one of their pastoral team. Resonate is an integral part of the picture--woven in throughout these relationships.
The North American participants were excited to observe how the seminary integrated ministry involvement and church multiplication into every aspect of its program. We were inspired by the brilliant church planting strategies among our partners. We were challenged by how our Nepali friends and colleagues are pouring their lives out for the sake of the gospel. We feel the need to “take this back” to North America.
It’s not a picture of “us” to “them,” but “from the world to the world.” It is a picture of diversity and unity in mission. What a beautiful thing!
| |
