A “Radical” perspective

To continue in our discussion of the long-term benefits of short-term missions, I’d like to quote a portion of the book “Radical” by David Platt. (Although I have questions about certain things in this book, as a whole I am encouraged by the message of the book in calling us to evaluate our church culture in light of God’s calling to the nations. I would highly recommend reading chapter 4 for a good overall argument for our responsibility in impacting the world for Christ.)

In the last chapter, Platt wrestles with what appears to be the common question among American churches in regards to short-term missions: Why spend so much money sending somebody overseas short-term when you could just use that money to send directly to that country?

Financially, that makes a lot of sense. Time-wise, it sounds more efficient. Strategically, it seems like the way to go.

But in relation to God, it may just fly in the face of the gospel.

Platt shares about a conversation he has with a person in Sudan who mentions his gratefulness for the many groups that provided supplies to his people during times of war, suffering and persecution.

But then he looked at me and asked, “Even in light of all these things that people have given us, do you want to know how you can tell who a true brother is?

I leaned forward and asked, “How?”

He responded, “A true brother comes to be with you in your time of need.” Then he looked me in the eye and said, “David, you are a true brother. Thank you for coming to be with us.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as the reality of the gospel hit home with me in an entirely new way. I was immediately reminded that when God chose to bring salvation to you and me, he did not send gold or silver, cash or check. He sent himself -the Son. I was convicted for even considering that I should give money instead of actually coming to Sudan. How will I ever show the gospel to the world if all I send is my money? Was I really so shallow as to think that my money is the answer to the needs in the world?”

If we are going to accomplish the global purpose of God, it will not be primarily through giving our money, as important as that is. It will happen primarily through giving ourselves. This is what the gospel represents, and it’s what the gospel requires.
-Platt, “Radical”, pg. 197-198

I believe it was Os Guiness at the recent Lausanne multiplex session on Globalization that said that by all accounts, the Incarnation appeared costly, wasteful and not time efficient. But God came in the flesh as one person, in one place, at one time and the world has never been the same. Jesus’ method was not to reach the masses but invest in the lives of 12 men who then turned the world upside down. And He commissions us to do the same (Matt. 28:18-20).

So when it comes to missions or church for that matter, don’t look for the most cost-effective, time-effective or logically strategic method. Look to God’s method and start following Him.

N. Korean Testimony from Lausanne

I know this is late, but here is the link to the N. Korean testimony from the Lausanne Congress in Capetown that I referred to earlier. It really is worth watching.

Reflections on Lausanne Global Link Event

This past Sunday, Evergreen SGV hosted its own Lausanne Global Link Event. For several weeks, I was praying about which sessions to show but because of the cyber attacks on the Global Link website the first two days, I was left scrambling until the last minute to download the content.

As with all things, God was in control and directed the meeting. Over 50 people showed up and I was so encouraged to see them tackle some the issues I presented from the talks. Here is a recap of what we went over:

Evergreen Lausanne team almost underway

Pray for the Evergreen Lausanne team as they meet together in Cape Town. Reine and Lori should be flying in from Johannesburg about now and Ian just made his way there from Malawi. Elliott has been scrambling to get this congress off the ground. For updated information and prayer requests, read here.

You don’t have to go to S. Africa to be part of Lausanne 3

Evergreen SGV has been privileged to be involved with the 3rd Lausanne Global Congress in Cape Town, S. Africa through our Evergreen SGV Lausanne team. Four of our members (Reine Ishida, Ian Nagata, Elliott and Lori Snuggs) will be assisting the congress, which takes place Oct. 16-25. You can read their exciting (and I mean exciting!) blog here.

Now people will be able to participate in the congress here at Evergreen SGV! On Oct. 24 at 12:30pm in the Cafe, we will host a Lausanne Global Link event highlighting an actual plenary session from the Congress and tackling a major issue being discussed there. Lunch will be provided.

I encourage you to come out to this event as we join hearts with thousands of Christian leaders from around the world tackling the major issues the Church is confronted with for the foreseeable future. Although the issue we are going to tackle has not been determined yet, I sense that God wants us to discuss the topic of “Children and Youth” as Pastor Cory has mentioned that we as a church will continue to reach out to the “4-14 Window”, meaning the window of time a child is thought to be most open to the gospel from ages 4-14. Also, it is clear that the Lord has impressed the human trafficking situation, particularly among children, upon our hearts.

Pray for the Evergreen Lausanne team as Reine and Lori fly out on Sunday to join Elliott, who is already in Cape Town, and Ian, who is wrapping up things in Malawi. Pray for adequate times of preparation, rest and interaction with the Christian world leaders represented there. Pray especially for Elliott, who is overseeing the logistics at the convention facility, during this pivotal week of preparation. Pray for the attendees to be able to make their way to the congress from all over the world. Finally pray for the remaining financial support that is needed to allow this Congress to run.

*Because our Global Link event is only for an afternoon and not publicly listed, I would encourage you to check out the other Global Link events in our area that are being held for longer periods of time. Biola, APU and First Evangelical Church Association in Alhambra are hosting such one day Global Link events. Registration is required.

More on Lausanne

Below is a video on the history of the Lausanne Movement:

Here is a promo for the Third Lausanne Congress this October in Cape Town:

More on Lausanne 3 -Joining the Global Conversation

Elliott Snuggs in the previous post shared about how we can be involved in the global conversation regarding the issues they will tackle at the Lausanne Congress. Christianity Today has done a series of articles leading up to the conference on such issues. You can read them here.

To actually get involved in the conversation and engage with people around the world on these issues you can go here.

The nations are gathering in South Africa …

and it’s not to watch soccer.

This October, 4,000 leaders from over 200 countries will gather in Cape Town, S. Africa for the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization to engage with the most pressing issues facing the Church today.

In 1974, Billy Graham helped convene the First Congress on World Evangelization in Lausanne, Switzerland. Thus began the Lausanne movement which held a second congress in 1989 at Manilla. This marks the third congress 21 years later.

This is a pivotal gathering that may mark another turning point in Church history and global evangelism. Something like this may only happen once in a lifetime so it is key that we be aware of this monumental congress.

We at Evergreen SGV are fortunate enough to have four of our members serving at this congress. Recently, I was able to catch up with Elliott Snuggs, one our members at Evergreen who is on the leadership for Lausanne 3 as the Cape Town International Convention Center Manager.