God at Work Among Us!

Dear friends,

I have exciting news of God’s work among us through the Explaining Christianity courses. Two people have become Christians! Three more have likely become Christians (further conversations will be had with them to help establish them in Christ). At least seven people have joined a follow-up group to assist their faith. Praise God for His work among us! Pray for protection over them as the devil hates it when people commit to Christ, his enemy. Pray for these people to grow in the joy of knowing Jesus!

This is timely news as this week Matt Goodman shares with us how a healthy church beats with a mission heart:

If a doctor wants to know if someone is healthy, they check their pulse. The same is true for a church: a healthy church has mission as its heartbeat. Why? Because God revealed His own heart by giving His Son to save us.

We, as a church, are part of the result of Jesus’ atoning work. Ephesians 1:18–23 reminds us that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work to bring all things under Christ’s rule — and we are privileged to take part in that. A church with a healthy heart beats for the lost: found people seeking to find people.

You often get the most important instructions before someone leaves you with a big responsibility, like a boss going on leave, reminding you to make sure things get done, or a parent telling the eldest child, “feed the dog, water the plants, and don’t have any parties.” Before Jesus ascended, He gave His disciples their vital instruction — the Great Commission (Matt 28:18–20): to go and make disciples of all nations. How? By sharing the gospel of Jesus.

We see this in action in Acts 2, where Peter preaches that because Jesus is Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36), people are called to repent, be baptised, and receive the Holy Spirit — the guarantee of eternal life (Acts 2:38–41). Many responded and were added to their number.

That mission continues today. We long to see many more added to God’s kingdom. Jesus, with all authority, has commissioned us to call people under His lordship, to receive the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

A healthy church sets its heart on eternal things, not temporary things (Matt 6:21). When we treasure what lasts — the salvation of the lost — it shapes everything we do.

Found people, finding people — that is the heartbeat of mission. Let’s keep our pulse strong.

One of Matt’s roles on staff is to help us keep focused on mission. He is our Mission Minister.

Grace and Peace,
Mark