International Church Planting Freaks
A bunch of freaks. Fanatics. That's what you people (Summit) are. One of the things I LOVE about our church is how you all respond to a call for international church planting. Any call. For years you have been at the very, very top of churches in yearly missions-giving. Today you amazed me again.
This morning I presented a need for two people to go to one our Central Asian countries in May. Like, less than a month from now and to one of the most volatile places in the world. I asked that if perhaps God was moving on someone's heart already about this, they might respond. We were inundated after the service with people who are ready and willing to go.
We have literally a couple DOZEN people that are preparing right now to go and live overseas for 2 years or more in one our strategic church plants. I am so very, very grateful. 70% of the unreached people in the world live in Muslim countries, yet less than 0.5% of all Christian workers in the world are working to plant churches among Muslims. Yes, you read that right. Read it again. Something tells me God is either really bad at the math system He invented, or some of the people He's calling to go just aren't listening. And there are still over a billion people who haven't the slightest knowledge of the name of Jesus. There's nowhere I'd rather dedicate my energies.
Central Asia: On this note, our "scouting team" in Central Asia has sent back some great reports. (My paraphrase below) They have absolutely fallen in love with the cities where we are focusing our efforts.
They love the food. David Thompson said last night that he ate at the most romantic restaurant he has ever visited. Jen (David's wife) said that for him to notice it was romantic is really saying something! And the best part was he got to eat there with Brad O'brien. I just threw up a little bit in my mouth just now.
Tomorrow they are going to Ephesus, which they are very excited about. Let's hope their trip there turns out as profitable, but not quite as painful, as the Apostle Paul's 1950 years ago! 