Pastor’s Thoughts

For several years when January appears on the calendar thoughts of my brothers and sisters in Honduras begin to fill my mind. I have had the privilege of traveling there and seeing the passion and commitment to Christ of men and women who have far less material wealth than we do here in the states. For many who live there their dream is to come to North America to experience our way of life. I wonder if maybe they would be leaving behind something more value than they would find here.  

Honduras is a drug infested Nation. Many of the young people grow up desiring to become drug lords because that is the source of income for the wealthiest locals who live there. We have been told that much of their government is controlled by these lords of darkness. Those who seek spiritual guidance must turn to culture basically ignorant of the life Jesus Christ offers. Yet in the midst of poverty, religion that lacks truth and Spirit, and deep seeded drug polluted government; God has a church.

In the book of Acts there is a text that many have read missing one of Christ’s intended purposes. It is the last thing Jesus said to the church before He took His seat beside the Father to intercede for us.  Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.

Jerusalem was the city in which those to whom he spoke would be empowered to become witnesses. Their mission would first impact the community in which they lived.

Second there was Judaea, the region around Jerusalem where their relatives lived. Judea would be similar to the state in which they lived, in our case like WV. The ones whom Jesus was referring to would be primarily Jews sharing similar beliefs to the disciples. They were going to be empowered to reach beyond their community; the church was to impact their local region as well.

Jesus next mentions Samaria. Samaria was a nation whose residents were predominately interracial. Jews that married Gentiles were despised for the most part by Jews. These prejudices who be set aside when the Spirit came and would reach beyond the comfort zones of family and friend relationships into the regions beyond Judea. I equate this facet of witness to other states. Regions outside of the Bible belt who have been raised with different values than those living in the Appalachian region.

And finally there are those referred to by Jesus as the uttermost parts of the world. The mission of the church goes beyond the United States’ boarders.  It must reach “the whosoevers” of the world that needs a relationship with Christ.

In light of Jesus statement, the mission of every congregation must support His vision. Not neglecting one area for another; but rather finding ways, channeling effort, and using the Spiritual power provided to continue the witness Jesus promised through which the world could know Jesus.

On mission for Christ,

Pastor Danny