The Top 10 Things I Have Learned on the Foreign Mission Field

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“Listen and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”

Proverbs 19:20

I went on my first foreign short term mission trip to the nation of Kazakhstan in April of 1996, and it was the beginning of an incredible journey of faith for me and also led me into full time ministry! Over the past 25 years, I have been blessed to be a part of 136 foreign short term mission trips to 48 different nations. Through these trips and cultural experiences, God has taught me some valuable lessons about life and people. He has also given me a new and much broader perspective.

Here is my top 10 list of the things I have learned from Him on the foreign mission field (in reverse order):

#10 – Everything is edible, but not everything is tasty.

I have eaten horsemeat, dog meat, guinea pig, hippo, shark, snake, and many other unusual foods. And guess what? I am still here! And I never got sick from any of them either!

“As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself.” – Romans 14:14

#9 – Lack of air conditioning and hot showers will not harm you.

A cool shower after the heat of a day is actually refreshing. It’s amazing to me how well I adapted and adjusted to my surroundings rather quickly.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

#8 – I have way too much stuff.

People I met usually had only 2 sets of clothes, the ones they were wearing and the ones they were washing. I had a closet full of clothes that I did not use or need.  So, I got rid of them, mostly to those who needed them, such as the homeless and other charities.

“A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15

#7 – Americans have 2 things to offer – our money and our time.

We are a blessed nation with abundant resources, and we are a blessed people with abundant gifts to share. And when we give to others, we are blessed even more in return!

“Give, and it will be given to you.” – Luke 6:38

#6 – People are virtually the same in every culture.

All humans have the same needs and desires – meaningful work, to raise a family, to live in peace, and to be free. The family is the foundation of every society and God put freedom in the heart of all of His creation. People need hope to truly live, and true hope is only found in Jesus!

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

#5 – Happiness is not found in wealth or possessions, but in knowing God.

Being poor does not mean people are unhappy, and being rich does not mean people are happy. The poor in foreign nations are generally happier than wealthy Americans! True peace and contentment is in knowing God.

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” – 1 Timothy 6:17

#4 – The most important thing in life is our relationship with God and other people.

Life has a purpose with God. Relationships enrich our lives and the lives of others. The Church is a community of believers who have a relationship with Jesus and one another.

“All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” – John 13:35

#3 – The Bible is universal and applies to everyone, everywhere.

God’s word is flawless (Proverbs 30:3) and God’s Word never changes (Malachi 3:6). God’s principles were meant for all peoples in all places and in all times!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16

#2 – Worship is a lifestyle, not Sunday church attendance.

We worship God by how we live. We worship God not only when we praise Him, but also when we trust Him, obey Him, share His love, and serve others.

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 4:11

#1 – The love of Christ cuts through every cultural boundary.

All people need the Lord. We cannot impact a culture without first impacting its people. I could always tell a Christian in every culture or nation by the smile on their face that comes from the joy in their hearts! We are called to make disciples of all nations! (Matthew 28:19)

“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.” – Acts 1:8

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I have been blessed beyond words by the experiences I have had serving people in other nations and by the personal relationships I have built across cultures and national boundaries. God is the one who has knit us all together in His tapestry of love and brotherhood, and I cannot imagine what life would be like without God’s presence and these dear friends in my life!

The Spiritual Dimension

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“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

Ephesians 3:17-18

In our world there are three physical dimensions – length, width and depth. However, most often we only think of only two dimensions. For every top there is a bottom. For every left there is a right. For every front there is a back. There is nothing in our world that doesn’t have an opposite side. There are also opposite sides in non-physical things such as politics (liberal versus conservative), economics (capitalism versus communism), and law (legal versus illegal). But perhaps most importantly, it seems to also be true in people’s beliefs about reality (absolute truth versus relative truth).

When it comes to truth, there is only truth and falsehood. Many people try to rationalize the truth and come up with their own opinion or interpretation of what may be the truth. But in the end, there is truth and there is falsehood. They are opposites. Something cannot be simultaneously true and false. The question then ultimately becomes the source of that truth. Is it from God, or is it from our self or someone else? And this is where the spiritual dimension comes in.

God is spirit and sovereign over both our physical and spiritual world. And as our Creator, He sets the standard for truth in our world because He is the Truth. Isaiah 45:19 says, “I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.” If humans get to determine what truth is, then it will ultimately depend on what every individual person thinks it is, or what the majority of people think it is, and therefore it cannot be a standard for all people. It is plainly obvious that humans cannot set the standard for truth. It must come from our Creator! He is the only One capable of determining what truth is for everyone.

But there are other opposites in our world where without God and the spiritual dimension there also is no standard. For example, let’s take light and darkness. In our world there is light and there is darkness. Darkness is defined as the absence of light. There is no in between. A little light is still light. From God’s Word we know that “God is Light; in Him is no darkness.” (1 John 1:5). God’s desire for mankind is to live and walk in His Light (1 John 1:7). But our world loves darkness (John 3:19). Without God, men will dwell in darkness!

Similarly, there is good and there is evil. Something cannot be both good and evil at the same time. God’s nature is goodness. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”  God’s standard is good, not evil. The world is sinful, corrupt, and filled with evil. So without God there is only evil. If evil becomes our standard then we are in deep trouble! We need God to prevent that. As Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

God also sent his Son Jesus into the world to be His standard for salvation (John 14:6). Jesus was sinless and took our sin upon Himself to enable us to receive God’s gift of eternal life. It is His grace alone that saves us. Ephesians 2:8 says that “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.”  In our world many believe the opposite, that they can earn salvation by doing good works. Every religion other than Christianity holds to that belief. But in that belief salvation is not from God, it is from man. Therefore, it varies and is not a standard we can depend upon!

When it comes to beliefs, however, many people choose to believe something in the middle. Although there are opposite sides to every issue, we often forget about the space between each side. A coin has two sides, but there is a space in between the two sides, however small. And that leads to the 3rd dimension of depth.

In our world of beliefs, the depth between opposites is usually a measure of one’s conviction, either weak or strong, about that belief. For example, you might not know for sure if something is true or accurate and so you have a certain level of belief that it is. People also have different experiences and perspectives which result in varying levels of attitudes towards an issue. Unfortunately, that does not result in clear choices between two opposites. Instead, people end up choosing the option that more closely fits their beliefs. That is often most clearly represented in surveys that we take, choosing along a scale as to whether we agree, disagree or are in the middle somewhere with what we think about a particular statement.

Similarly, there is also a spiritual depth to our faith and beliefs, even though God’s standards for truth, light and good are absolute and don’t change. He wants us to adhere to His standard and live according to it. But we can’t. It is because as people we are sinful and our nature is to do what we desire, which is evil and the opposite of good. So, in order to meet God’s standard of good, He sent His own Son Jesus into the world to die on a cross and become the standard for us. Consequently, we are only able to meet God’s standard when we place our faith in Jesus.

Furthermore, God sent His Holy Spirit to enable us to not only believe in Jesus, but to also trust in God’s Truth and live in God’s Light. The Bible says we must “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) and “Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:16) But when we don’t live up to His standard, because of Jesus, He forgives us, and we are cleansed so that we can once again meet His standard (1 John 1:9).

Finally, it is worth mentioning the 4th dimension of time. Many scientists often add time to the other 3 dimensions in our world. We can be in the same place but at a different time, and that could also have relevance to our lives and change our thinking. For example, you could go back to a place that you once lived a long time ago, and while it might look the same, it would not be the same. It is because of changes in the people who live there, changes in the culture, physical changes in the neighborhood, or other changes over time. People’s attitudes and beliefs also change over time. So, time impacts our world – the way people see it and what they believe.

But God is timeless, and His standards of truth, light and good never change (Malachi 3:6). Truth will still be truth. Light will still be light. Good will still be good. And His grace will still be available, as long as Jesus has yet to return as promised in Scripture. We are warned to be ready for that day, lest we find ourselves without His standard for salvation due to our unbelief (Matthew 25:13).

Without the spiritual dimension of God in our lives we are destined for destruction. So, let us have faith in Jesus (John 3:16), accept God’s Truth (John 8:32), walk in God’s Light (Isaiah 2:5), and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). And not only right now, but also in the time we have left!!

Teaching God’s Word

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“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”

Titus 2:1

Teaching the Bible to others was something I had never really contemplated throughout most of my life. But when the Lord used a pastor in the Philippines to call me into the ministry of teaching pastors and church leaders 20 years ago, I found myself in the awkward position of having to do so. Although I was called to teach and train on leadership and management for the Church, the ultimate source of that training was God’s Word. I often remind our global trainers that although we teach on church leadership and management, we are really teaching God’s Word. It is because our training is based on God’s Word and what He has to say on this topic.

Jesus told his disciples before he ascended to heaven to “make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey all I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)  In the same way, I believe Jesus is calling all of his followers to teach the Word as well, including you and me. That means we should teach his Word to others in Bible studies, in sharing our faith, in prayer, or in raising our children. But the Bible also says that “some are called to be teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). And I believe that God has indeed called me specifically to be a teacher of His Word as a ministry. And I have been doing so since 2002, even though I have never received formal Bible training nor attended any seminary or Bible college.

That lack of formal training often creeps into my mind (obviously planted by Satan) to try and distract me from that calling. I am aware of the Scripture that says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) And that is true for me as well. But it is also an encouragement, because it compels me to read and study Scripture even more so that I don’t misquote it, misread it, or misrepresent it to others. But I often still feel somewhat unqualified to be a teacher. I think that comes from our western culture that says we must have a degree or a certification from an educational institution to be considered qualified. In other words, we must have some sort of evidence that we are qualified to teach. It’s like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, who was told he only needed a diploma to have evidence of a brain! But the Bible makes no such demand. It simply says that we “must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

To be a good teacher, however, one must also have some practical experience in what they are teaching. Many teachers simply teach what is in a textbook and do not have any practical experience in the subject that they are teaching. That often results in them not being able to answer questions effectively or give students knowledge on how to apply what they are learning. The best teachers are those who not only know the material they are teaching, but who have also applied that teaching in their own life and can then offer examples on how to apply it to the student’s life or career pursuit.  Jesus said in Matthew 11:19, “Wisdom is proved right by its actions.” Consequently, wisdom comes from applying the knowledge that we are taught in our lives. If we are to be a good teacher of God’s Word, therefore, we must also then practice what we preach by applying God’s Word in our own lives!

In my business career I often attended national conferences about topics that pertained to my job. There would often be large plenary sessions for everyone taught by some well-known speakers, and there would be workshops led by others who were generally less well known. They led the workshops because they had practical experience in the subject they were teaching. And I usually found those workshops more beneficial than any talk by a well-known speaker. It was because the well-known speaker often only shared principles and philosophies and not so much practical applications of what they were teaching. I found the best help and ideas from the workshop leaders who had tried to apply those principles and knew what worked and what didn’t, and most importantly, why. It’s the same with teaching God’s Word. It is not enough to just know what it says. It’s also important to know what happens when we apply it in our lives. Because in doing that we actually discover the truth of God’s Word and its wisdom for us.

I think it is fair to also point out that as human teachers, we are still sinful. We are not perfect as Jesus was. Consequently, none of us are fully able to live out God’s Word as we teach it. But does that mean that what we are teaching is not true or God’s Word? No, it doesn’t. We can still teach God’s Word even though we fail to keep it ourselves, as long as what we are teaching is truly God’s Word and not our version of it. We mislead others when we teach falsely or misrepresent what God’s Word actually says or means. That is why all teachers of God’s Word must be careful to study His Word and be guided by the Holy Spirit as we teach it.

Teaching God’s Word has been a tremendous blessing in my life. I not only get to share and teach it in our ministry of training, but I also have the opportunity to teach it in my church on a regular basis, in my men’s Bible study group twice a month, and to a group of homeless men each month. As a teacher, I must also be better prepared than my students, because they will ask questions – tough questions! And when I don’t know the answer, I know exactly where to send them – right back into God’s Word!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

FaithLife Ministries Introduces MCL Training Tip Videos

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We recently introduced the first and second installments of a new series of videos that we are making that share some training tips from our Management for Church Leaders™ training. These training tips are meant to be informational and draw interest from pastors and church leaders around the world to our free training resources. These short 3 minute videos are being posted on our ministry FaceBook page, which currently has about 1,000 followers. They are also posted for the general public so that anyone can view them. I am posting them monthly on the first Thursday of the month.

I am also posting them on our website and will continue to add them to our website each month after they are posted on FaceBook. Our first training tip was posted on March 4th and the second one was just posted last week on April 1st.  

Each video has the same opening and closing and just the training tip itself is different. There is a call to visit our website to request our MCL Self-Training Book at the end of each video. This will help maintain continuity and visual branding. Click on the image below to view our 2nd training tip video:

We encourage you to watch the video and give us your feedback on it via email, or by liking or commenting on the YouTube video itself. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified of future training tip video postings. We would also request that you share the link with anyone you may know who might have interest in our training, whether abroad or in the USA.

Thank you all for your encouragement and support of this ministry!

The Spirit of God at Work

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will makes your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Our ministry celebrated its 20th anniversary on January 22nd. In our January newsletter I shared the milestones we had reached along the way as well as the accomplishments that we had achieved. But I also said that God was the one who was responsible for all that we had done in His name! God established this ministry, grew this ministry, and produced all of the results that were achieved. Our part was simply to seek His wisdom and guidance and to obey His direction. Putting our trust in the Lord enabled Him to use us to fulfill His purpose and plan for this ministry!

Last year during the shutdown I wrote a book entitled “God’s Spirit at Work: Lessons from the Mission Field.” In that book I shared many stories and testimonies of how God’s Spirit was at work in our ministry and in my life while serving Him on the foreign mission field since 1996. God demonstrated His power many times to bring about what He desired. He first chose me for His purpose and then provided for me, protected me, and even carried me at times. He also answered my prayers and let me know that He was with me all the time! (Please visit http://www.faithlifeministries.net/books. to get a copy. It is available in a variety of formats.) I enjoyed writing that book because it forced me to recall all the times God had been faithful and was at work even when I didn’t know it.

I was recently reflecting on what God had done to bring us to this point in our ministry and began to realize how God’s Spirit was still at work today even though I have not traveled to train in over a year. For example, although most of the world shut down last year due to the corona virus, the Lord enabled our global trainers to resume our MCL training so that we ended up training over 4,700 pastors and leaders in 29 nations in 2020! It also resulted in our ministry reaching the 100th nation through an on-line training! Additionally, He led me to use my time at home to write the book and also to develop more resources that our trainers needed!

But that’s not all. During the past year God led us to establish relationships with three new ministries that are enabling us to extend our training to other networks of contacts.

First, we were contacted by a ministry called China Partner that has a network of registered churches and seminaries in China. Last December I recorded our first Zoom training for them (with a translator) which was distributed via email to their network of pastors and church leaders. More training session recordings are scheduled for this year.

Second, God led another ministry to us last year called Leadership International to conduct our MCL training for their ministry network in Africa. I had planned to go and train in Cape Town, South Africa last October but that trip was cancelled due to the virus. Instead, our trainer in Cape Town, Dr. Nsimba Baboka, is working with their contact in Cape Town to do a training there this year. They in turn, will train others throughout their network in Africa.

Finally, I was contacted by the leader of a ministry called Servants of Christ International that assists churches in the majority world with funding and support for church construction, food programs and other aid. They wanted some background on one of the pastors they are working with that happens to be one of our global trainers in Nepal. As we talked about our respective ministries, he asked me for a copy of our MCL self-training book. He was so enthused about our training that he proceeded to email all of his global ministry contacts to encourage them to get a copy of it. We have received requests for our MCL training from many of them already! God was indeed at work growing our ministry last year despite the pandemic!!

So you might ask me, what is God’s Spirit up to this year? Well, first of all, he is opening up doors for me to teach our MCL on-line since I am not able to travel. I have been praying for opportunities to do so and He answered my prayer. I was scheduled to do an initial MCL training for pastors and leaders in Mandalay, Myanmar last week but the start had to be postponed due to the political unrest there at the moment and the instability of their internet service. But it will take place at some point this year.

Second, God led me to the founder of Lucent University, an on-line Bible College. They are interested in having me teach a course on Strategic Management using our MCL material for their Bible degree and even secular degree curriculum. We will be meeting on Zoom again shortly to work on more of the details.

Finally, God’s Spirit has led us to develop a series of short 3 minute videos that contain training tips from our MCL training. Our first training tip was released on our ministry FaceBook page last Thursday. You can watch it at www.faithlifeministries.net/MCL-training-tips.

And through all of this the Lord continues to provide for us financially while He works and speaks through us. I am reminded of the Scripture passage from Zechariah 4:6 that says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Indeed, God’s Spirit is at work today in FaithLife Ministries and is a living testimony to God’s faithfulness! Because we put our faith and trust in Jesus, He will bring about God’s purpose and plan for this ministry.

Crisis in the American Church

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“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

Matthew 12:25

There currently exists a crisis in the American Church. Do you know what it is? Are you aware that it is not just recent but has been around for many years? It is a crisis that has plagued the Church throughout history, but seems to be manifesting itself with tremendous strength in America today. It is the crisis of division caused by apostasy.

You probably don’t know what this word means as it is not commonly used today. Apostasy means “the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.” For the American Church, it means the abandonment of the Bible as the authoritative truth of the Christian faith. According to a recent study by George Barna, over 50 % of American evangelical Christians do not believe the Bible is inerrant or trustworthy. A stunning 74% of them believe that people are basically good instead of sinful, 43% believe that Jesus sinned during His lifetime, and 58% believe that the Holy Spirit is not a person but rather a symbol (American Worldview Inventory 2020: Final Release #12, Arizona Christian University, January, 2020).

In other words, secularization has crept into the beliefs of the American Church. Previous commonly held core beliefs with regard to sin and salvation (law and gospel) are now being replaced by secular views. As a result, some churches and denominations now more closely conform to a pagan, secular culture. And their numbers are not small. Most every mainline Protestant Church has a denomination within it that rejects some Biblical teachings. They include the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PC-USA), and the post separation United Methodist Church (psUMC). And there are many others that are following the same apostasy. They are rejecting Biblical Truth for secular views, most of them having to do with sexual freedom, identity and behavior.

It appears that Christians who have secular or “progressive” views think that abortion is acceptable, a person can choose their gender, and that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice. All of these do not conform to Biblical teaching. God’s Word says that “He knit us together in our mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13) and that we “should not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Abortion is the murder of a human being, someone God alone created. Abortion also results most often from the sin of adultery (sex outside of marriage). God’s Word also says the “He created us, male and female” (Genesis 1:27). God chose our gender. We have nothing to do with it and we cannot change it. God’s Word also says that “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24). It’s called marriage, and it’s clearly only between a man and a woman. The Bible also condemns sexual contact in any other context (Exodus 18:1-30). The Bible is very clear on these sexual matters, yet there are some Christians who reject these Biblical teachings in favor of their own secular beliefs. This is apostasy.

So how did this division and crisis in the Church come about? To begin with, sadly, it has always been in the Church. We only need to go and read the New Testament to confirm it was happening back in the early Church. Paul warned the Churches in Rome and Corinth to “watch out for those who cause divisions” (Romans 16:17) and that “there be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10). The New Testament also condemns the practice of sexual immorality that was common at the time (Acts 15:20, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 13:4, and Jude 1:7). Even Jesus Himself spoke out against sexual immorality in Matthew 15:19. Since the Bible also declares that Jesus is the Word (John 1:1 and 1:14), He was obviously referring to all forms of impure sexual relations. Since its beginning, the Christian Church has had to fight off pagan practices and influences that have attempted to corrupt the Church and defy its teachings. It is no different today, although perhaps a bit more pervasive now.

So, why has this crisis re-emerged so strongly? I believe that it has been brewing since the 1960’s with the development of the pill and the emergence of the sexual revolution (sex between consenting adults). These two developments have led to an explosion of sex outside of God’s boundaries of marriage and have resulted in millions of abortions, escalating divorce rates, and the wider acceptance of homosexual behavior for the past 50 years. But it seemed to have gained an extra boost in 2008 with the election of Barack Obama and the subsequent change in public attitude and government policy towards gay marriage and gender identity. Unfortunately, this acceptance by our society has also crept into the Church in the form of cultural and secular beliefs that are contrary to Scripture.

So, what can the Church do to counter this secular influence? Perhaps the first and most important question the Church must ask itself is this – “Is this the result of our own lack of discipleship?” Have we not taught Biblical values (or in some cases avoided it) because the topic was “too sensitive”?  Have we allowed the culture to have more influence than God’s Word amongst our church members? Have we created a generation of church attenders and not disciples of Jesus Christ and His Word? I think the Church needs to take a good hard look at itself in this regard. It’s not too late for the Church to refocus on discipleship and teaching Biblical truth. It must take the culture head-on and not allow its secular beliefs to be tolerated or accepted in the Church! If it doesn’t, then the Church will continue to be divided in America and lose its ability to impact our nation for Christ.

Jesus told his disciples that while we are to be in the world, we are not to be of the world (John 15:19). Peter wrote that we are “aliens and strangers in the world” (1 Peter 2:11). Jesus also called us to be “salt & light in our world” (Matthew 5:13-16). Consequently, we are called to be separate from the world and not like the world. If the Church is like the world then it cannot influence the world to be different than what it is. And if the American church wants to influence our nation for Christ, then it must be unified in both Biblical belief and practice. As Jesus said in Matthew 12:25, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

But we must also be aware that God is sovereign and will bring about His purpose through this crisis by His Holy Spirit. Could He be preparing the Church to make more disciples by reinforcing the teaching and acknowledgement of Biblical Truth? Could He be calling the Church to revival and restoration of God’s authority in our nation?  Could He be sending His Spirit to reveal the apostasy to those who engage in it and bring them to repentance? Only time will tell.

For those Christians who acknowledge Biblical authority, who “hate evil and cling to what is good” (Romans 12:29), and who witness for Christ and His Word, God will use them to bring the Church in America back to its Biblical foundation. This apostasy must be confronted and removed from the Church in America if it is to come together in unity in order to effectively proclaim the gospel and the truth in our nation.

Discipling Youth

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“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.  I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.  For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”

Philippians 2:19-22

Timothy is young according to 1 Timothy 4:12 (“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young“).  Paul took this youth, Timothy, under his wing, teaching and nurturing him in the faith.  Youth are young adults, and discipling youth is critical for the future of the Church.  Recent surveys indicate that youth are not staying in the church but rather adopting secular views instead as they enter adulthood. Youth ministry (for age 12 through the teenage years) requires some special attention so that youth will come to Christ in a lasting way.

What Is Effective Youth Ministry?

First of all, Youth Ministry is NOT entertainment, the best show in town, the best food in town, or mimicking the world’s way of doing things. Youth Ministry IS purposefully driven instead of popularity driven. Events must focus on the power of God being present, the purpose of God being evident, and the principles of God being taught.

Development of Young Adolescents

Young people in ages 10-15 undergo more rapid and profound personal changes than any other time in their lives.  Some areas of youth physical & emotional development vary during this time. For example, changes occur irregularly, puberty is experienced at different times and different rates, youth become aware of their socioeconomic status, and ethnicity adds to diversity awareness or challenges. Youth also develop concerns about appearance and body image and have a desire for peer acceptance. Their patterns of thinking begin to change with a greater capacity to think more on their own, and the environment and media begin to have a greater influence over their values.

How Youth Learn

The foundation for faith (in God, or in something else), is laid down during the first seven years of life.  By the time students enter youth ministry (around age 12), they will have a belief system basically established in their hearts and minds.  Neuroscience research studies have shown that youth learn well in five areas:

  1. The youth needs to “feel OK” to learn effectively.  Emotion is fundamental to learning for young people. 
  2. Youth find it easier to learn when the teaching matters to them.  Brains can shut down when students are taught information that is not relevant to their own goals.
  3. It is easier for youth to learn when the environment is active.  Active engagement in the teaching time is necessary for learning. 
  4. Youth need to work on their skills over time.  The experiences of youth, over time, gradually sculpt connections in their brains. 

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”   –  2 Timothy 3:14-15

5. Youth learning requires regular support.  Having support and mentoring helps learning to be reinforced and to be adjusted to one’s own personal experiences. 

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”  – 1 Timothy 4:12-16

The Purpose of Discipling Youth

There are four purposes in discipling youth:

  1. To help them apply their Christian faith to every area of life. This includes worship, prayer, fellowship, Bible study, ministry and evangelism.
  2. To talk to them about the tough issues. This includes the benefits of healthy behavior (purity), the risks and consequences of unhealthy behavior (drugs, alcohol, sex), and the difference between temptation and sin (Temptation is the devil knocking at the door. Sin occurs when one opens the door and invites the devil in). “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  (James 4:7)
  3. To teach them to make good decisions. This includes using good judgment (Psalm 119:9,11), having courage (Philippians 4:13), having honor (Romans 12:9-11), and exhibiting self-control (1 Thessalonians 4:3,4).
  4. To help them become leaders in the cause of Christ. Youth must learn to seek spiritual growth, have a servant heart, build up people skills, promote cooperation, and manage problems. They should learn to lead worship, prayer, and Bible study. They should also learn to disciple others.  The Great Commission should become personal to them (“Go and make disciples……teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” – Matthew 28:19-20)

Developing the Next Generation of Church Leaders

There are four things worth remembering about youth in the Church. First, the leaders of tomorrow are the youth of today. Today’s church leaders were forged in the 1960’s & 1970’s. Tomorrow’s leaders are being forged in the 1990’s & 2000’s. Second, what youth don’t like today they will change tomorrow. They are not sure what they really like, but they know what they don’t like and they will want to change what they don’t like. Third, each generation wants to be better than the previous one. There is a continuing evolution of social thought and each generation wants to make a contribution to the culture. And fourth, we must teach youth Biblical principles, not church traditions. The focus should be on eternal truths, not temporary beliefs. Let the power of the Word draw them in, not traditions or practices. Let our actions be determined by Scripture, not by man-made ideas.

(From Chapter 6 in our Discipleship for Church Leaders™ Training Manual, ©2015.)

A World Without Christ?

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

It is Christmas season around the world. Although Christmas is just one day, December 25th, people in many nations around the world love to celebrate the season beginning a month in advance. They love the colored lights, Christmas trees, celebrations, the exchange of gifts, and the general mood of kindness that seems to lift everyone’s spirits. This is true even as many of those nations no longer celebrate the birth of Christ, the reason for the season.

We live in a world where almost one third of its population is Christian. It has the most followers of any religion in the world. And yet Christians are the most persecuted religion on the earth as well according to a Pew Research Center survey in 2019. And according to a report released by Open Doors USA in 2019, 215 million Christians are persecuted for their faith, about 1 in 12 Christians in the world! And the levels of persecution continue to grow, even in the United States of America!

If the world loves Christmas, why is there such hatred for Christians in the world? Is it because we are the largest religion and need to be curtailed? Is it because we speak the truth of God’s Word that so often goes against the prevailing culture? Is it because Christians are a threat to governments and those in power? Or is it something more personal…?

The world’s calendar is divided between the time before Christ (BC) and the time after Christ (AD). Jesus’ birth was the most important day in history because it ushered in God’s physical presence in the world. And that single event has changed everything! Jesus’ life, death and resurrection revealed God’s love, grace and mercy for all mankind. It gave the world a hope it did not have before Jesus. It is no longer a question of wondering what God thinks or wants, it has become known to us through Jesus words, actions and obedience to God the Father. Jesus said, “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:7).

And how did the world respond when Jesus was born? Those who recognized Him told others about Him and worshipped him (Luke 2:17-20). But those who feared Him tried to kill him (Matthew 2:16). And later, after Jesus began his ministry, the people who recognized Him praised him and followed Him (Matthew 21:9). But those who feared Him arrested him, beat him, and crucified Him like a criminal, though He had done no wrong (John 19:1 & 16).

It’s interesting to note that the same is true today. Nothing has changed. Those who recognize Him worship him, tell others about Him, and seek to follow His commands. But those who fear Him ridicule His followers, imprison them, beat them, and persecute them.

While governments persecute Christians because they are a threat to government control and power, people persecute them for a more personal reason. While Christians submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, others have no desire to submit to anyone other than themselves. They want to be rulers of their own lives. Jesus tells us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44). But the world tells us to hate them and destroy them. Jesus says to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). The world says to retaliate and hit back harder. Jesus says to give and it will be given to us (Luke 6:38). The world says only a fool gives away what he has earned for himself. Those who do not want Christ in their lives also do not want Christ in other’s lives either!

So, let us take a moment and imagine a world without Christ. What would it be like?

Well, we could look back before Christ was born and see what the world was like back then. It was a violent world where the strong dominated the weak. It was a world where there were no human rights. It was a world where most people died young. It was a world where one had to submit to the rulers and conquerors of the day. It was brutal, it was dangerous, it was dark, and it was hopeless.

We could look back 100 years and see the rise of communism and fascism that outlawed Christianity and forced belief in atheism and worship of the state and its leader (Stalin, Hitler, Mao). It resulted in the killing of millions of people who dissented (Jews, Christians & others) and enslaved millions more under state-run, oppressive governments (Soviet Union, China). It caused a massive global war that also resulted in the horrific and torturous deaths of many soldiers. For those who lived and suffered during those times, they were dark days indeed with little hope!

But we can also look around us and see what is happening today. Christian persecution is growing globally, dissenting voices are being silenced, the murder of unborn children through abortion is being lauded, communism is being revived, and government power is being used to restrict freedoms and control our lives.

Christ is needed today just as He was needed 2,000 years ago. Without Christ, the world becomes a dark and dangerous place. More importantly, without Christ, the human heart remains a dark and dangerous place as well! (Romans 1:21)

I, for one, do not want to see a world without Christ. Fortunately, that cannot happen. Jesus said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18). What Jesus has built cannot be destroyed. Wherever Christian persecution exists, the Church grows stronger. That’s what happened in the Soviet Union and China after World War II, and is now happening in Iran. So we should not lose heart. The Light of Christ cannot be extinguished!

So this Christmas, let us pray once again for the Light of Christ to lighten a darkening world. Let us pray for the Love of Christ to reign in people’s hearts. And let us pray for God’s Holy Spirit to lead the world to Christ and Him alone. For without Christ, our world would also be without hope! Let us bow down and worship Him this Christmas as the Magi from the East did 2,000 years ago  (Matthew 2:11), and let us praise Him for the grace and mercy that He alone gave to us at the cross (Ephesians 2:8)!

FaithLife Ministries Releases New Video Celebrating Reaching 100 Nations with our Management for Church Leaders Training!

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“Only God makes things grow.”

1 Corinthians 3:7

FaithLife Ministries is pleased to release a new video that celebrates reaching 100 nations with our Management for Church Leaders™ training. We reached 100 nations back in early September when our training was received by a pastor in the nation of Belize. This was the culmination of the vision that God had given to us back in 2008.

This video shares the story of how this training began and how it spread around the world. It has done so only by the hand of God! And it was the result of many people working together in ministry as God has directed them over the past 19 years.

Please click on the video below to watch how it all happened.

Thank you all for your support and prayers that has made reaching this vision possible.

To God alone belongs the glory!!

Division in America and its Global Impact

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“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

The United States of America has been on an increasingly secular path for over 50 years. I wrote about the decline in morals and biblical values in my book, About Face: A Call to Turn America Back to God, which was published in 2015. During this past year we have seen tremendous division in our nation covering many different issues including the economy, the pandemic, healthcare, immigration, race, justice, climate change and abortion, just to name the most obvious. Having grown up in America, I have witnessed this growing division and the abandonment of biblical principles and values in our nation. I have also experienced its impact on our society. And it is not good.

The United States of America has been a “shining city on a hill” that people from other nations long to visit and live in because of our freedoms, especially speech, religion and economic opportunity. I know this from my own experience visiting many other nations. The United States is a nation like no other in the world. It was founded on Judeo-Christian values and principles and our Constitution guarantees these freedoms for all of its citizens. It was also established as a nation that would govern itself. But as John Quincy Adams clearly pointed out in 1789, “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” In other words, without a biblical foundation, self-government will ultimately fail.

As I survey the landscape of America today, I can’t help but notice this departure from biblical and moral values that President Adams spoke of at the founding of our nation. The division we are experiencing in our nation today is caused by the different attitudes and worldviews of our own people. It is the age old conflict of God’s way versus Man’s way. Today, fewer Americans believe in God’s Word and the principles and values for life that it contains. Instead, many Americans are putting their trust in science and man’s intelligence.

Those Americans who favor Man’s way have a secular worldview that focuses on man’s intellect and ability to reason out all things. To them God is irrelevant. They view people as basically good and that everyone can have their own morals. There is no standard of behavior and little belief in personal responsibility. They say people aren’t the problem, society is! The Bible clearly contradicts this view and says in 1 John 1:9 that “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Believing that we are basically good is a false premise. Proverbs 3:5 also tells us that we should “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.” According to God’s Word, trusting in our own knowledge and wisdom will only lead us to disaster.

On the other hand, those Americans who favor God’s Word and have a biblical worldview know that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9) and that we are sinful by nature (Romans 3:23). They recognize that the problem is not society, it is us! If society is failing, it is because we as individual citizens are failing. Believers in God know that He is good and His moral standards are best for society because man will sin and eventually mess things up if they do things their own way. If nothing else, history proves this to be true. Man without God is inherently evil and will do very evil things to their own people under the guise of making a better society. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot are just a few examples.

So, America is at a fork in the road. There are two paths it can follow. It can continue to choose to follow its own intellect and Man’s way with its historically tragic consequences, such as communism, genocide and slavery. Or it can turn back to God and follow biblical standards and His way, which produces prosperity, generosity and compassion.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrews were given a similar choice when they came to a fork in their road. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 records the choice that God gave them. He said, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse – the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.” Sadly, the Hebrews only followed God for a short time before reverting back to their worship of other gods and their own desires, which eventually brought destruction upon themselves (the curse).

America has the same choice today. Before it lies a blessing or a curse. However, the path America chooses will also have an impact on the rest of the world. If America chooses a path of relying on man’s intellect it will surely decline morally, economically and militarily. It will no longer be able to provide for the needs of its own people or other nations, defend itself or its allies, or remain a stabilizing force for good in the world (the curse). If America chooses to follow God’s way, it will prosper economically, socially, and spiritually. And that will enable it to continue to fight evil in the world, produce food for the world, and provide security for the world (the blessing). As the leading nation in the world, what it chooses will impact other nations either positively or negatively.

Although the impact from this choice may takes many years to materialize, it is critical for the United States to make the right choice today so it can stop its slide down the path towards its own destruction. This will ensure a prosperous future for the United States and the world!

It is also a choice that we as individuals must also make every day to avoid our own spiritual death. Proverbs 14:12 says that “There is a way that seems right to man, but it only leads to death.” If we follow our own ways it will surely lead to our destruction. So, we must put our trust in God to receive the blessing in our own lives. Proverbs 28:25 says that “He who trusts in the Lord will prosper.”

There is no other way to create a better future for ourselves, or our own nation, than to follow God’s way!