Around Me

    As an example of the many methods to share the Gospel involves using the AroundMe app on their mobile phones.  This app literally locates people nearby they can interact with and find out if they are interested in spiritual matters. 

    One student, Travis, sitting in a coffee shop sent a question to those who were nearby with the same app on their phone. Five people responded.  He invited them to come to the coffee shop. 

    Then, meeting together over the next few weeks one of them began a new relationship with  Christ.  Amazing how the Lord can use something like this to draw people to Himself!

The Road North

    Six members of our team recently returned from Thailand where they were with our American expats and nationals at the staff conference for a large country in Asia.  While they were there, they witnessed a mission’s milestone--the transition of ministry leadership to an indigenous leader.  It was an incredibly moving time!

   
     With a theme of “The Road North,” these passionate co-laborers are aiming for a "north star" of mobilizing 10 million lifetime laborers within and sending 100,000 cross-cultural missionaries to the world by 2020.  What an incredible, God-sized goal!

  

On the night of celebration 1500 staff members and representatives from more than seven countries who had sent missionaries honored the man who has led this effort for the past fifteen years.  Beginning with a handful of nationals serving full-time, there are now more than 450!   And their vision?  It is to become the largest sending nation of missionaries to the world by 2020!

    As the new leader was commissioned, he took the stage with a challenge to his audience of foreign missionaries and national compatriots. To the nationals he asked  “Will you take up the responsibility to lead this ministry and mission?  Each one stood solemnly as a commitment.

    Then, to the foreigners, "will you stay and help reach this huge country for Christ if the nationals will pick up the torch and lead?”   It was touching and humbling as both groups rose to their feet in acceptance of the challenge.  It is obvious that the Spirit of the Lord has worked to knit their hearts together.

    Dayna and I visited this country in the summer of 1982 right when it was just opening to the outside and that was the first year Cru had a presence there.  It is awesome to see what God has done and is doing in East Asia.  Thank you for being a part of His plans!

  
With love,