A walk….
This summer Kevin and I did a 15 mile hike while we were in Glacier National Park. It was an amazing experience….a day that we won’t forget.
It’s been said that Jesus walked over 3,000 miles in his years of ministry….
Throughout the Gospels, you’ll read many accounts of Jesus walking and traveling and meeting the physical needs of people he met who were hurting. We see him bring the dead to life, feed thousands, heal chronic illnesses, and the list could go on and on. We know that as he met their physical needs, he also met their spiritual needs for a Savior.
As Jesus ascended into Heaven, he says to the disciples, his trusted followers……
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
He tasks them with being witnesses…….they had knowledge of Jesus from personal experience and relationship. So they could continue his ministry because of what they had experienced.
Much of our experience with church planters and missionaries in North America can be summed up by this verse at the beginning of Acts. We see men, women, and families who have intentionally planted their lives in places with the sole purpose of making Jesus known by walking into these communities. We see church planters and missionaries meeting physical needs with the hope of turning that met need into a conversation about a greater need in their lives….Jesus.
I wonder how many “miles” have been walked by missionaries all over North America? How many thousands have been feed? How many have been brought from spiritual death to eternal life?
Pray for the pastors and church planters all over our country. They are likely experiencing some weariness from the busy summer of mission trip teams, college interns, and special ministry experiences. These experiences often bring with them the emotions that accompany the realities of their callings.
And while you pray……go for a walk……find someone in your community that has a need that you can meet…..and meet it in Jesus name.
With grateful hearts,
Kevin and Casey
Leave a Reply