What is a Barnabas Support Group, and how do I get into one?

A few weeks ago we covered the topic of the inward/outward paradigm in global missions. That may have seemed more like "theoretical doctrine" but this topic gripped our class emotionally.

Throughout the month of May the Lausanne Movement will be leading a prayer initiative for missions advancement around the world. We're six months away from Bethlehem's annual "global focus" but this month of prayer may be an even more effective way to stoke your vision for God's global glory. See the invitation video from Michael Oh, sign up for the daily emails, and most of all...pray.

At the Racial Harmony Round Table recently, Rev. Dr. John Mayer reported that the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) translates medical services into 216 languages. The nations, peoples, tribes, and tongues have come here. We have a global gospel opportunity without even getting on an airplane.

By the way, on a related note, Mayer also reported that the Twin Cities have more Hmong gangs than Hmong churches.

When is the last time you read the Old Testament prophets? Probably not your favorite place to turn at 5:30am for morning devotions. Oh, sure, there are some passages that we love and have heard preached on from time and time (e.g. Isaiah 9; Jeremiah 31; Micah 5). But if I can speak from my experience, these tend to be some of the most difficult books of the Bible to understand and see how they connect to our lives today. Yet, if we're going to understand Christian missions and Jesus' commission of his disciples then these books are indispensible!

For those using the 7^th edition of Operation World as a prayer guide for the nations, today marks the beginning of a two week stretch where thousands using this resource will be interceding on behalf of the country of China. As a church, we have global partners serving in China and in the surrounding countries of East Asia, so we would do well to remember these members of our faith family during these fourteen days. 

Have you ever stopped to think about the beauty of having the Bible translated into the English language? We have multiple different translations to reference when studying the Bible. And not only this but we have Bible study software and websites that allow for us to easily search the Scriptures like a Google search! Through the use of technology (such as the printing press and the internet) God has enabled the translation and, thus, the preaching and reading of his Word throughout the world. 

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’?

CROSS: For the global glory of Jesus Christ

As 2013 will be ending, in Louisville, KY a new student missions conference will be launching. And perhaps, in the mercy of God, more than just a conference will be launching, but a movement. See the details on their website and consider your part: attending yourself, taking students, encouraging a student to attend, helping provide for a student you know to attend this event.