We arrived in India shortly after midnight on December 17, 2010 and the question that was forming in my mind was, "Am I ready to face the challenge?" I was asking myself this question becasue I had heard many stories of the persecuted church in India and I was not sure whether I was prepared to suffer for Christ.
In October, while in South Africa for the III Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization I learned about the 310 unreached and unengaged people groups (UUPG) in India which forms 71% of UUPG in the world and felt a renewed call to respond to the great commission.
As a student at Moody Theological Seminary, and from the inspiration of DL Moody, the founder of Moody Bible Institute, there was a fire inside of me; a passion for souls that drew me to get committed to the Great Commission. This fire drove me out of my comfort zones to go out and make disciples of all nations and from this I signed up for the mission trip to India.
At Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, I pondered about the mission ahead now that I was in the country. I thought about growing up as a sponsored child with Compassion International and what I had learned. The sponsorship had ignited passion for ministry in me and I was nurtured to lead with courage. I knew I had grown to be a responsible and fulfilled Christian adult and even privileged to acquire further theological training at Moody. But still I had fears. Then I remembered the words of Jesus to his disciples in Matthew 28:20, "...and lo, I am with you always..."
Suddenly, with a renewed confidence I exited the airport ready with the gospel in my heart for He who is in me is more powerful than he that is in the world.
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| Adorned with a garland on arrival in Hyderabad, India. Felt like the crown of thorn that was placed on Jesus at the Crucifixion as fear gripped me to imagine evangelizing in a country where Christians are persecuted. |
In October, while in South Africa for the III Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization I learned about the 310 unreached and unengaged people groups (UUPG) in India which forms 71% of UUPG in the world and felt a renewed call to respond to the great commission.
As a student at Moody Theological Seminary, and from the inspiration of DL Moody, the founder of Moody Bible Institute, there was a fire inside of me; a passion for souls that drew me to get committed to the Great Commission. This fire drove me out of my comfort zones to go out and make disciples of all nations and from this I signed up for the mission trip to India.
At Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, I pondered about the mission ahead now that I was in the country. I thought about growing up as a sponsored child with Compassion International and what I had learned. The sponsorship had ignited passion for ministry in me and I was nurtured to lead with courage. I knew I had grown to be a responsible and fulfilled Christian adult and even privileged to acquire further theological training at Moody. But still I had fears. Then I remembered the words of Jesus to his disciples in Matthew 28:20, "...and lo, I am with you always..."
Suddenly, with a renewed confidence I exited the airport ready with the gospel in my heart for He who is in me is more powerful than he that is in the world.
praying for you in your mission trip that God will give you strength, safety and good success as you take the message of hope to others :)
ReplyDeleteI remember my fear the first time I went on one of our sponsor tours, but God quickly swept the fear aside when I started meeting the wonderful people in Haiti (where you have already visited, so you know what I'm saying). But I've never had to face the prospect of really "suffering for Christ." We will be praying for you -- I know God will perform wonders in these days. You are precious to Him.
ReplyDeleteLifting you up to our heavenly Father, Jimmy, and eagerly awaiting more news from your Mission Trip in India. Blessings ~ Marci C._OC
ReplyDeleteHi Jimmy it is good to hear that God has ignited a passion to reach out to other people. May the Lord empower you more and more to bring the change needed in the world. I need your email, please email me at mainanjengathepriest@gmail.com.
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