Jesus Promises There Will Be Persons of Peace

 

Hi there, my name is Dean Davis, and this is a word of encouragement for village church planters.

Shortly after I became involved in church planting, I finished my seminary education and prepared to leave my home country for Ecuador, South America. Just a few months before leaving home, I was with my mother.  No one else was with us when she asked me a very personal question.  My mother asked me, her youngest son, “Dean, when you go to Ecuador, is there anything that you are afraid of?” I was so surprised. I was a little embarrassed. No one had ever asked me that question before. I thought for a moment. I knew I needed to tell her the truth, after all she was my mother. So I told her the biggest fear I had about going to Ecuador.

I said, “The only thing I’m afraid of is that I might go all the way to Ecuador to tell people about new life in Jesus, and they might not listen to me. What would happen if I go all that way and no one responds when I share the Good News?”  I was being honest. I didn’t want to fail as a preacher of the Gospel, but I thought I might. My mother kindly said, “Don’t be afraid, God will be with you Dean.” 

I felt a little better, but I was still a little fearful. Maybe you have had similar fears as you begin your ministry as a church planter.  If you have, I have some good news for you.

Jesus has promised us that the harvest is plentiful. The story recorded in Luke 10 about Jesus sending out 72 of his followers to the towns of Israel give us hope.  Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful.” Jesus said, “First say, ‘Peace to this house.’  If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.  Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages…  When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.  Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

Let these words of Jesus bring hope your heart church planter!  The harvest truly is plentiful.  There really are men and women of peace who are ready to be blessed. People who are hungry for Good News, people who long to know God.  Your job as a church planter is to find them. You may struggle. It will be difficult.  But there are persons of peace waiting for you.  By God’s grace you will find them and they will respond to the Good News you share. You can trust Jesus for that.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.  

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