May 2015 - SENT ONES

SENT ONES

“I have been given all authority… therefore, go…”

If you are a believer in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, then you have heard these words. If you are a believer in sharing the good news of that resurrection, there’s nothing I can tell you about these words that you have not already studied or heard for yourself.

Still, they are powerful words! Jesus is the ONE who has the power, not us and yet He chooses to send us, the weak ones, to go! We can take comfort in knowing that even though we are sent weak ones, we are sent with His Spirit filling us! So then, in Christ, we are strong and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can GO!Above are a few examples of people I’ve been able to work with in Cru who have followed God’s calling to go. Click here to read a few of those stories. :)

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Our Aim

“Marksmen, fire when ready.”

I recently watched a show on Netflix called “Top Shot”. The contestants have to prove their marksmanship to be the best out of 16 who were chosen for a chance to win $100,000!

Paul speaks several times in the New Testament about his aim & what the aim of the church ought to be. Most believers immediately think of our aim to be: to please God, which is clearly true in 2 Corinthians 5:9.

Even so, I get excited to read Paul’s motivation for making His aim to please God. In 1 Timothy 1:5, we see his motivation is love!

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

It’s encouraging to imagine a perfect community or a family of God whose individual and corporate aims are one. Paul writes about this unified aim to the church in Corinth & in his second letter to Timothy. (2 Tim. 2:4, 3:10; 2 Cor. 8:21, & 13:11)

THE DANGER:

Picture an army whose aim is clear: to defeat the enemy & protect its’ own. If individual soldiers became distracted with personal problems, strategy disagreements or even the desire for comfort, the enemy could easily get a foothold.

I have never fought in a physical battle, but my friend (former National Guard & Iraq veteran) has told me much about her time in war. Distractions or selfish desires can completely ruin a unit of soldiers & give the enemy the advantage!

I saw this on “Top Shot”, when contestants became distracted, complained about the discomfort with a weapon, or lost focus, they missed the target & were voted off the show.

The Application:

This made me think. How often are we distracted from our aim to please God? Do the comforts of our lives, desire to spend our paychecks how we want, and disagreements with each other prevent us from our aim to please God? How often do we forget why this is our aim in the first place?

We aim to please Him because:

He loved us SO much & made His aim to redeem a fallen people so that we may know Him & love others as we share this GOOD NEWS! (Watch what Felicia has discovered to be her aim in the video the below.)

Are you ready marksman? … to live out your aim? Don't overthink it soldier. Use the resources & talents God’s given you and simply:  Fire when ready!

Sent!

100% Sent

One of our goals as a ministry nationwide is that 100% of our students would know that they are “sent” by God to help fulfill the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20.  Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, had a desire to see our generation bring the Good News to everyone, everywhere. To do this, we need to be faithful 2 Timothy 2:2, where Paul entreats Timothy to teach what he’s learned to faithful men who will pass it on. We call that multiplication!

Since 2010, I’ve been full-time at Kean working with several young men and women who led the Cru movement there and now it is time to say goodbye to a strong few. I’m confident as these students move on to new areas to which God has called them, that they will seek the Lord diligently and learn how to serve Him in any area they are placed. But I’m sad to see them leave.

I’m especially sad to let go of some of the women I discipled: Sharon Hawkins - former president of Cru, Liscet Duran - a motivator and encourager of the movement at Kean, and Christa Diaz - a leader on campus who many followed and looked up to. I had the privilege of mentoring these women and seeing God transform them into His image to be a servant of the King. I will miss seeing them on the campus regularly although I’m sure our friendship will not cease.

 

Although sad to let some go, I am also proud to announce that Laura Fairchild (pictured right), who I’ve also disciple for two years now has just been voted in as president of Cru for next year. Please keep her in prayer as the Lord continues to mold her as His servant.