Burning Ones Don't Just Shine a Light They Light a Fire In Others

If God wills the evangelization of the world, and you refuse to support missions, then you are opposed to the will of God. - Oswald J. Smith


I love Jesus, and I write this because I love His church, and want to see it come fully alive in every part of the world!


I think the church in general (not every congregation or member) has become addicted to short term mission trips so much that they can barely understand the vague notion that the Great Commission is not a part time job no matter your vocation! Short term trips have there place, but we can't save the world in 10 days or less! They should be done no doubt, but not in place of long term missions. Both SHOULD and CAN be done simultaneously.


We start with the grand idea of Judea, Samaria and uttermost parts of the earth. However, we jump out of the gates with a sprinters pace and fade by the time we've reached our own neighborhood. Instead we should have the strategy of a marathon runner, who knows the race is longer than just what's around the first turn!


Instead of having the understanding and wisdom that God's funds are unlimited (Ephesians 3:20), we are happier to balance the budget and only dream what we can fund. We might take the church beyond the four walls but the real impact goes no farther than the newly paved parking lot!


I'm not saying we are to be fiscally irresponsible. However, we must apply the wisdom of Scripture, remembering our mandate to reach the WHOLE world and not just OUR world. At the end of the day, I believe the church of Jesus Christ is suffering from a corporate lack of faith.

We seek without vision, we listen without conviction, we pray without expecting so we do only what's comfortable. If it's the least bit risky or there's a chance for failure, we lower the bar of expectation. After all, why should we trouble God, He's busy running the universe, right?

I think we all need to be reminded that we serve the God of the impossible, the God of the infinite, the God of the immeasurable (Genesis 18:14). What is God telling you to do that you are not currently doing?


****NEWSFLASH******


If Jesus Christ is your Savior, then the Great Commission IS YOUR JOB! Yes, that's right. It's not just the work of pastors and missionaries. So let's get busy doing God's work in the world.

There are only 3 positions when it comes to the Great Commission - go, send or disobey (John Piper). Which one are you currently doing?

The Irony Of Italy

When you think of Italy, what comes to your mind – great food?....picturesque landscapes?...ancient monuments?...maybe, beautiful art…or inspiring music?...how about some the fastest sports cars in the world? Sounds like an incredible place to visit, right?

But there’s another side to Italy; one that most never see. Today I invite to you take another look, not through the eyes of a tourist, but through the eyes of God.

Contrary to popular opinion, Italy is actually a mission field. It have be “Christianized”, but it has NEVER been evangelized. It’s time to wake up Italy!

Of Italy’s estimated 60 million inhabitants, 95% identify themselves as Catholics, but only 5% actually attend mass regularly. Unfortunately religion is more tradition and convenience than a life-changing choice. Today even the veneer of religion is being worn away by ever-increasing secularism and materialism.

This leaves millions searching for answers about life. Instead of relying on a personal relationship with a loving Savior many turn to the occult. Last year alone Italians spent over $8.5 billion consulting with physics and clairvoyants for advice!

Those who are still searching in Italy for an authentic community of believers, will have to look very hard. Of Italy’s 33,500 cities only 1500 have an evangelical church of any Protestant denomination. 32,000 cities still have no church!

With so few churches is there any wonder why many in Italy have completely turned away from God? God has called our family to Italy help point others to the light of Jesus. We want to offer the millions in Italy who are familiar with Jesus, the son of Mary the chance to know him as Jesus, the risen Son of God!

However, we can’t do the work alone! We need your support through prayer and financial giving to go forward in sharing the gospel with the Italian people.

Will you pray and ask the Lord how you to respond? Will you help us to… Wake Up Italy?