From the moment of creation, God's purpose has been to reach the people in His world and them to come together and worship him. This isn't about targeting certain people groups but we do want representation. The church today has so emphasized a program called "discipleship." We are told to "go" and make disciples. Jesus said "as you are going, make disciples." And what we've done today is bring it into the church. What we've done is turned it on it's head. We talk about discipleship programs and I don't think we should....
From the moment of creation, God's purpose has been to reach the people in His world and them to come together and worship him. This isn't about targeting certain people groups but we do want representation.
The church today has so emphasized a program called "discipleship." We are told to "go" and make disciples. Jesus said "as you are going, make disciples." And what we've done today is bring it into the church. What we've done is turned it on it's head. We talk about discipleship programs and I don't think we should. The more outward focused we are the closer our walk will be with Jesus. - Gary Vet
I tell pastors, you are not the pastor of a church, you are a pastor of the Church. It's our collective responsibility to reach every man woman and child with the Gospel where they live work and play. We are together to own the lostness of this territory. - Gary Vet
Gary and Kevin discussed John 17 and Jesus' prayer for unity. The only way the Gospel is going to penetrate our region is if we are unified. Gary mentioned how he believes that pastors are the last to grasp this doctrine of the church. Our congregations understand it. They work with people who attend other churches and sometimes they are scratching their heads wondering "Why don't our churches work together?"
- Dialogue will lead to understanding.
- Understanding will lead to trust.
- Trust will lead to us working together to change our region.
Jesus intentionally mentioned the word "ecclesia" which means church for the first time in a way that would make his listeners think of way Alexander the Great conquered the known world. He would send a group of philosophers, teachers, mentors called an "ecclesia" into a new territory until the barbarians would walk like a Greek, talk like a Greek.
It's like Jesus was saying "Alexander build a kingdom that lasted 500 years, but I'm building my "ecclesia." The way that Jesus has done that is by sending out his people to act like Jesus where they go so that people will begin to act, talk, and think like Jesus.
Also check out these articles by Global Hope India:
Why you Need Internationals in Your Church
International are Increasing
Asians are Waiting to Know Christ
Let's Talk!
Global Hope India
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Global Hope India: For over 20 years we have been watching God radically transform thousands of Americans & Indian Nationals through missions. We’ve taken nearly 1,000 Americans on short-term mission trips to India. We work with 12 long-term indigenous church planting partners located in North, South, East, & West mainland India as well as Northeast India. We empower The Church in India to make Christ known through leadership, child, & village development projects. Global Hope India is a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Morrisville, North Carolina. All gifts are tax-deductible. More about GHI.
Living the Dream Podcast: The Living the Dream podcast is where Church staff and volunteers get comfortable and aligned with the reality that God is moving millions of foreign-born internationals into our communities. We focus on this incredible opportunity God is giving us to change the world! We know how this story ends! Rev 7:9-12 shows us a Church filled with EVERY nation, tribe, & tongue gathered together worshipping Jesus. Welcome to Living the Dream podcast where we help The Church be on earth as it is in heaven. More about Living the Dream Podcast.
Meet Pastor Kevin: Pastor Kevin is Founder and Executive Director of Global Hope India and your host for Living the Dream Podcast. He’s a poor kid from rural North Carolina, but get this… He just returned from his 50th trip to India in 20 years. If he doesn’t yet hold the Guinness Book of World Records for the most trips to India then he’s got to be close. He’s flown over a million miles to 27 different countries. He’s taken nearly 1,000 people on mission trips to India. Global Hope India has seen thousands of Indian Nationals and Americans radically transformed by God through missions. The miracle continues! More about Pastor Kevin.
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