FIVE DAYS IN MEXICO A couple of weeks ago I spent five days in Mexico, having been invited by the Missouri Baptist Convention to participate in a conference designed to train pastors and lay leaders in how to plant churches. It turns out that the Baptist churches in the Mexican states of Puebla and Tlaxcala (southeast of Mexico City) believe that, by the year 2020, God would have them start 100 new works (with 50 of these becoming fully functioning churches by then) and see 10,000 new believers baptized. The conference I spoke at was part of that effort. Men from Missouri Baptist Convention (Rick Hedger, Ben Hess and Ken McCune) were the main speakers. I got to preach to the attendees three times. For two days over 50 pastors and lay people—many who had traveled long distances—gathered to hear what we had to say. I was impressed by what I saw and the people I met. I met Mexican pastors who sacrificially (with little or no financial remuneration, sometimes threatened and physically attacked) are working to obey Jesus to “Go and make disciples.” I saw pastors convinced of the need to establish new churches and develop existing missions into fully functioning churches. I saw lay people willing to give up two full days in order to learn how to plant new churches. I met pastors who are organized and have vision and drive to accomplish the Great Commission in their part of the world. I saw pastors who are aware that to achieve their goals, they will need new lay leaders trained to take on the challenges of church leadership. I met pastors and churches who are asking for people to come and help them, because they realize that their God-sized vision is too big for them to accomplish alone. And I was impressed by this: They are not asking for money. They’re not asking for people to come build buildings. (They know how to build buildings.) They’re not asking for help in paying a pastor’s salary. (They know from past experience how American churches that pay a national pastor’s salary inadvertently create jealousy among the very people they want to help.) What they ARE asking for is this: help in reaching their cities and communities for Christ, through prayer walking, Vacation Bible Schools, clown and puppet ministries, craft ministries, men’s, women’s and youth conferences, door-to-door evangelism, ministry with children in public parks, and training conferences for lay leaders and pastors. As I reflect on my five days in Mexico, I am more and more convinced that the people I met are the “man from Macedonia” from the Book of Acts, living in our day. Their message to Missouri Baptist churches is simple: “Come over to Mexico, and help us.” I went to Mexico because Tri County’s mission statement says that “Tri County Baptist Association exists to encourage, assist and resource churches to fulfill the Great Commission.” I know from personal experience how being involved in missions, both at home and abroad, can inject new vitality and passion into Christians and churches whose spiritual lives have grown stagnant and stale. (This is why Tri County has budgeted this year to provide scholarships for people from our churches who want to go on a mission trip.) So if the Lord moves in your heart to see for yourself how your church might be a part of what God is doing in Mexico, let me know of your interest. I can envision a group of Tri County pastors and lay leaders traveling to there for an exploration and vision trip. From what I saw from my five days “south of the border,” we would be graciously received, spiritually challenged—and, I believe, very blessed.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 02:27:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015