50 Days of Mission Devotional

50 Days of Mission IN HIS STEPS 2021

A Daily Devotional Featuring Messages from our Local and Global Mission Partners

A WORD FROM PASTOR CHRIS Dear Frazer Family— Over each of the main doors of the Frazer Atrium as you go out you will see part of a scripture: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Of course, this is the beginning of the well-known “Great Commission” which Jesus gave to his followers, found in Matthew 28:19-20. I love this reminder that every time we go out of our place of gathered worship, we are going into the mission field God has given to us.

For many years at Frazer we have participated in something we call “In His Steps” every Fall. This is a time to intentionally reflect on how we are following Jesus, individually and as a church, and to recommit ourselves to Christ. This year, our focus is on how we can follow Jesus in our mission beyond the walls of the church building. A life on mission is not just a calling for a few super-Christians; each one of us is invited to join God in His mission to reconcile and renew the world. Every believer is called to be a “missionary.”

In some of these pages you’ll hear the voices of Frazer members and many of our mission partners here in Montgomery and around the world. As you read their thoughts, my hope is that you will feel a connection with them and be inspired by their example.

I hope you will take time to read through a devotion each day. Look up the scriptures and incorporate them into your prayers. Allow God to speak to you and fill you afresh with the missional power of the Holy Spirit. As we listen to God together, I have no doubt He will call, equip, and empower us for even greater things as we go out to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

God bless you,

Dr. Chris Montgomery Senior Pastor

© 2021 Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church 6000 Atlanta Hwy. | Montgomery, AL 36117 | www.frazer.church

Day 1: The Goodness of God Emily Griffin, Program Director Mescal’s Children’s Center of Hope Read Psalm 34:8, Psalm 100:4-5, Psalm 119:68 In a recent conversation with a friend, and in a recent trip to Kenya, I was reminded of a truth that will fuel a missional lifestyle for Christ-followers when embraced: God is extravagantly good. He is not just a little good, adequately good, or even very good.

He embodies and defines goodness and is extravagantly good!

Recently, while catching up with a friend, she and I shared updates with one another about our lives, both mundane and significant. In this conversation, there were many updates of both types to share. During talks of new adventures, celebrations of milestones, and areas of hardship, we were continually drawn back to the goodness of God in every circumstance and season of our lives. We both found God’s never-changing nature of being good and doing good to be a steady source of hope, joy, and peace in our lives no matter the outward circumstances.

That may seem easy to say when living in a context of material blessing, comfort, and safety. But what about believers who are not in a situation of material security or relative safety, who are surrounded by material poverty that many in the United States could never imagine, and who live each day surrounded by physical, emotional, financial, educational, and spiritual need?

Can those believers proclaim the goodness of God? This culture of need is the daily reality lived by our brothers and sisters serving

at Mescal’s Children’s Center of Hope in Luanda, Kenya. While all the needs previously mentioned exist in the USA, turn the level of need up and cut the available resources and support in half (or less) and you’ll begin to understand the situation faced by our partners at Mescal’s and their community. Over the course of our two-week visit, we couldn’t help but notice how the staff at Mescal’s were constantly handling difficult “daily bread” type situations personally, with their neighbors, and with those being served by the ministry. From the early morning hours until it was time for bed, each day presented a revolving door of situations where our partners were required to live “on mission” and, as they would tell you, the reason they are able to persevere in the work God has called them to is because God’s goodness is never ending.

To them, God’s goodness is defined not as an outward, material reality, but as an inward reality of the indwelling presence of God through the Holy Spirit. God’s presence is His goodness. Their security and purpose is rooted in the fact that God is all-powerful, He is present, He sees and will provide for their needs, and most of all, He is good. They are an example of what it means to live on mission, abiding in a Father whose goodness lays a foundation for His trustworthiness. As our group spent time with them, we were encouraged to let our joy, security, and hope be rooted in God’s unfailing goodness, as well. No matter the outward circumstances, or even the cultural context, God’s goodness is a fuel for life on mission, and for that we give Him all the glory!

Day 2: Revealing Christ Rev. Angie Long, Director of Pastoral Care & Church Relations Embrace Alabama/Florida Kids Read Jeremiah 1:4-10 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

God is scary. And responding to that one call did not end the calling on my life.

No! Instead it began a lifelong journey of listening to God say to me over and again, “I appoint you!”

Friends, we are all known by God. We are all loved by God. We are all called by God. In the simplest of terms, we are called to serve. Jesus says, “You are the light of the God tells us through the prophet Jeremiah world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid” that before we were formed in the womb, we (Matthew 5:14). When I think about my were known! God has already consecrated own calling, it is evident to me that Jesus is us and appointed us. leading me through this journey to continue Really God? That sounds somewhat scary… to shine the light on the darkest places of maybe even terrifying! While these words the world around me. I am not called to were spoken to Jeremiah, I believe they are BE Christ in those places, but rather called intended for us all. God has created us in to REVEAL Christ! That seems like a God’s image, each having been given specific fine line, but the distinction means that I gifts that no one else has and no one else do not have to judge or fix that which is can use in the place we have been placed. broken. Instead, as I look through the lens of our saving and redeeming Lord, I see I had an entire other life before I came to the deep need for love, grace, mercy, and really know the Triune God. I had gone to forgiveness in the world. My calling is to school, gotten married, had children, owned reveal Christ’s nature, sharing how those a home, and was working in a lucrative qualities, those affections have saved me career. In the midst of all of that, and after from my suffering and pain. having the Scriptures opened to me through study and through other people who loved It is in the cross we learn that Jesus stands Jesus, I too was called by God. In the time (and dies) in solidarity with those who hurt, since, I have quit that career, graduated those who suffer. It is in the resurrection from seminary, and been ordained as an that we learn that Christ heals us from that.

How can we live more faithfully into our Elder in the United Methodist Church. calling; the call to be the light in the world?

Let me assure you, that all of that is written How do we reveal Christ to the world? Let in its briefest form, but there were years of us pray to live this light in all we do, today questioning, doubting, and sometimes even and in the days to come. Amen. wailing and gnashing of teeth. Following

Day 3: Getting Messy April Jurgensen, Founder & Executive Director The Boaz Project Read I Corinthians 9:2 “Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.”

Have you ever watched a tiny octopus climb off your plate? Have you ever bathed in pig poop? Have you ever had your hair permed using chicken bones as curler rods?

Believe it or not, I have.

Often, cross-cultural ministry spurs me on to do things I would not naturally choose.

And that’s an understatement.

But look at Jesus. I mean, talk about ministering cross-culturally! He left heaven’s throne room and came to earth, bound by flesh, to a smelly stable.

You know, He could have inserted Himself into the royal lineage of David at a point in history when He could have enjoyed kingly wealth. Or at a time of modern convenience. Or He could have just decided against coming to earth all together. And who could blame Him? But our Jesus chose to love.

For Him, the promise of relationship with us outweighed the drudgery of carpentry, the scorn of those who wouldn’t believe, and even the nails in His hands.

The Messiah chose to get messy.

He walked around Galilee doing things Galileans did and using words Galileans used. He weaved their marriage traditions,

their occupational lingo and their favorite foods into His stories. He went to the Jewish synagogues. He joined their celebrations and He washed their feet. He learned what hunger and fatigue felt like. He became a man so that men could relate to Him. What’s more, He didn’t stick with the highest strata of society, but talked with prostitutes and ate with tax collectors.

The Savior hung with the unsavory.

And from His 33 years on earth, He continues to attract a family from every tongue, tribe and nation!

So, as we continue His ministry on earth, we need to follow His model. We need to take on the traditions, the behaviors, the culture around us—not to the extent that we defy God’s laws—but to the extent that people can relate to us.

And it may mean getting messy.

I didn’t grow up sitting on the floor and scooping sticky rice into my mouth with my fingers. It’s not my tradition to wear long skirts every day. I cannot speak Russian or Hindi or Swahili fluently.

But you know what? I’ve learned that rides in rickshaws can be exhilarating and going to the banya with a friend can be calming.

Using a common cup hasn’t killed me yet, and eating warm ugali is quite filling.

I’ve not always been eager to try new things, but in the interest of building relationships, I’ve taken a shot at them. And in the end, I, too, have gained a family from multiple nations and tribes.

I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Day 4: Seasons of Life Michelle Meece The Hands and Feet Project Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

I have lived on the mission field going on 15 years now. Through these years I have experienced so many life-changing things.

Time after time I am brought back to Ecclesiastes. Most of those times are when I am questioning myself or even others. I feel as if God brings me straight back to those verses.

As a human, I want to question so much: why is there suffering, why am I here, why

do I have to watch this child fade away, these are just a few. It seems like every time there is a guidance that brings me back to them, there is a reason, a timing, and a God ah-ha moment.

Most times that I have experienced the trials and tribulations, I have in turn been brought to a reassurance, loving, happy, or even a comfort spot. I very well know it is from God. I have been blessed to be able to watch miracles of God take place right in front of me. These are not the hit you on the head and you can now walk miracles, these are time-taking miracles, such as a child coming to you at the point of death and over the course of time you watch this child come back to life. Then you look at that same child ten years later and see them succeed in school and sports and you praise the Lord for what he has done.

What is the timing in your life right now?

Whichever it is, bring it to the Lord, you will find comfort in it. You might not have an instant answer or maybe not even the answer you were looking for, but I assure you God’s timing is always the right time!

Day 5: The Gift of Grace Sederick Fluker, Executive Director Montgomery S.T.E.P. Foundation Read 1 Peter 4:10 “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

Many years ago, during my freshman year in high school, my mother and I were in a terrible car accident in which I was thrown violently from the vehicle. As I felt the warmth of the sun on my face and the breeze from being hurled at a high-speed through the air, my life flashed before me!

It seemed like an eternity, but it wasn’t a full two seconds before I made contact with the ground. There was this sinking feeling that I had right before impact. It was a lonely feeling—one of guilt and terror because I knew I was about to die without Jesus in my life.

There were a thousand ways I could’ve died that day but only one way that I was

able to live—it was God’s amazing gift of grace! And because of that amazing gift of grace, I gave my life to Jesus and continue daily in my quest to always be a faithful steward of His grace.

1 Peter 4:10 reminds us “to use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” In my 24th year of ministry serving as a local missionary, I know it is my responsibility to use this wonderful gift called “life” each and every day to serve others. Whether it was directing an inner-city youth choir that touched the lives of 700 at-risk youth or whether it was leading hundreds to Christ through S.T.E.P. evangelism and outreach efforts, I know God spared my life for this very purpose of serving others and being a faithful steward of His grace.

Thank you, Jesus, and thank you to all of our fellow co-laborers of Frazer for this wonderful opportunity for myself and so many other missionaries to serve those who most desperately need us at this moment in time.

Day 6: Don’t Grow Weary Rachel Thomas, Development Coordinator; First Choice Women’s Medical Center Read Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

“I was just thinking about you the other day and how I hadn’t heard from you lately.”

I was stunned. This young woman noticed that I was a week late in calling her?

Sometimes, it feels like our clients are trying to get off the phone as quickly as possible. It can be easy to buy into the lie that checking in on them really doesn’t matter one way or another.

But, isn’t that what Satan wants? For us to believe that our efforts don’t matter?

My client’s response, however, left no room for misunderstanding. My regular phone calls meant something to her.

Kayla* was one of the first clients I met at First Choice who was considering abortion when she came for a pregnancy test. She walked in for her appointment alone, scared, and disappointed with herself.

I was nervous to talk to her, but as we talked, her words quickly evaporated my feelings of inadequacy. She had plans for her future.

She was the first one in her family to go to college. What in the world was she going to tell her family now that she was pregnant?

Did she really want to give up the dream she was so close to achieving?

Fortunately, Kayla’s relationship with First

Choice was just beginning. Although still undecided about the pregnancy, Kayla left better equipped to consider her options.

We scheduled her for an ultrasound and prenatal clinic. And through all of this, Kayla chose life for her baby. I checked in with her every two weeks until her due date.

We rejoiced over her baby boy, but Kayla shared tragic news about the baby’s father.

One week before her due date, her boyfriend was killed. My heart shattered in pieces for this new momma, who I knew was going to need all the support she could get in the days to come.

I continue to check on Kayla monthly.

Sometimes I’ll text her, but usually we chat on the phone. She has shared the joys and struggles of motherhood and her plans to obtain her undergraduate degree with her family’s help.

Kayla’s reaction to one late phone call reminded me of the importance of being faithful in what God has called us to do.

Whether it be through our parenting classes, support groups, or a simple text message, we are called to love our clients like Jesus, even when we don’t know if it’s making a difference.

Who in your life is God calling you to love with a steadfast faithfulness? Has it ever crossed your mind to give up on them? Be encouraged that although it is not always easy to see how God is at work, we can know with certainty God will bring the harvest, if we do not grow weary with that which we are called! *Name changed to protect identity

Day 7: God Sees Rev. Richard Williams, Director ASU Wesley Foundation Read Mark 12:43 “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.”

God has been with our ministry at the Alabama State University Wesley Foundation.

This year we reflect about how to live on a mission for God. There are several things that story of the widow’s mite found in Mark’s gospel teaches us.

At ASU, we always declare ourselves as hornets. This message helps not only hornets but to me serving as a faith leader.

First things FIRST, God sees what man overlooks. A big gift in the temple was obviously a focus for the people. My assumption is this was probably what the disciples were distracted by. But Jesus saw what no one else did: He saw the humility of the gift of the poor.

This has been a helpful reminder to my ministry to ensure that regardless of what may seem little to man, it MATTERS to GOD. This was the gift that Jesus thought worthy of response; this was the gift that

the disciples needed to be aware of. The other gifts in the treasury that day made a lot of NOISE as they jingled into the receptacles, but the widow’s mites were heard in heaven.

Each of you are uniquely gifted to share with GOD your time, talent and your tithe. I love how Jesus calls us to be his hands and feet. That’s a reminder that the work and service that I do is for him. I am appreciative of the work that is before us.

If I do it for God, that’s the only one I’m concerned with satisfying at this moment. I want to say that we find ourselves in many spaces today. This pandemic has caused many questions except that GOD is REAL. We live in a world where self-preservation seems to be primary instead of showing love to my fellow brother and sister.

During my undergraduate years at Morehouse College, I was always nervous about evaluation from my professor. I would think, ‘I hope that my work is good enough to get a good grade.’ God’s evaluation is different from man’s process. The widow’s two mites added up to a penny, according to the man’s tabulation. But Jesus said that she had given more than anyone else that day (Mark 12:43). May we live our life as a gift for the mission of God!

Day 8: But God Pablo and Rebecca Pazmiño Guayaquil, Ecuador

of many lives.” (Gen 50:20)

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

The pandemic hit us hard in Guayaquil, with much pain and loss of life. Everything shut down right when Kids’ Club in Chongón was at a high point, gathering about 100 kids each week. We felt our hands tied by restrictions, BUT GOD was not tied down!

A missionary life definitely requires faith – just like any true Christian’s life! God has shown Himself faithful to us throughout this pandemic. A colleague on our Ecuador field shared this passage in Genesis with us last year, and it has become our theme verse.

Bible studies and discipleship never stopped, they just moved to cell phones, using audio and text messaging apps. Even men who seldom participated in the past, joined on-line discipleship. The Word of God continued to spread.

Here we read Joseph’s words to his brothers after long, difficult years of hardship. Joseph went from a comfortable life as his father’s favorite son (Gen. 37:2-3), to betrayal and abandonment as his brothers sold him into slavery (37:23-28), and then through false accusations leading to unjust imprisonment (39:1-20). How must Joseph have felt? Did he question God about the WHY? Did he feel alone? Desperate? Surely he must have, as anyone would. Nevertheless, the text emphasizes that God was always with him, blessed him, and never abandoned him (Gen 39:2, 21).

We prepared “ministry packets” for the Kids’ Club teachers to host small clubs in their homes with their own families. More and more families asked to participate, but since we ran out of teachers, the parents stepped up to become teachers! Small home clubs multiplied week by week, and instead of the 100 kids we’d previously served, the groups grew to 250 kids!

Read Genesis 50:20

God provided miraculously for the purchase of a property and initial building funds for Agua Viva Chongón to have our first permanent location. A purchase wasn’t on our radar in the middle of the pandemic, BUT GOD had other plans!

Joseph goes on to be liberated from prison and placed second-in-command to Pharaoh (Gen 41). Over 20 years passed between Joseph went through dark times, and surely being sold as a slave and ruling the nation. moments of hopelessness, BUT GOD After a dramatic reunion with his brothers, turned things around. Our family has been Joseph brings his entire family to Egypt to through times of sadness and uncertainty, survive the famine. Years later, his brothers BUT GOD, again and again, has shown His are still fearful of vengeance for all they power and reminded us, “I’m in control.” did, but Joseph has truly forgiven and has He has opened doors for his Kingdom to found the purpose in his suffering, as he expand in Guayaquil and around the world told them, “You intended to harm me, but “for the saving of many lives.”

God intended it all for good, for the saving

Day 9: Follow His Heart Joyce Hazlett, Middle East Department Manager, Partners Relief & Development Read Psalm 82:3 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.”

Faizah* sat quietly among the other Syrian refugee women who attended one of our female health education trainings in northern Iraq. She sought refuge in this northern Iraqi camp, after her husband, a translator who worked for the U.S. army, was killed. She and her family had been forced to become Muslim. She feared for her life and the lives of her two fatherless children.

It’s why we listened to a poor and desperate Rohingya Muslim father who pleaded for us to help find his two year old who had been left behind during their frantic escape across the river from the Myanmar army who had already killed and buried his people in mass.

It’s why the children of minority families living in Myanmar matter. Whether they are the Buddhists in Shan State, the Christians in Karen and Kachin State, or the stateless Muslim Rohingya. They all matter. We’ve heard their stories. We’ve heard the Yazidi, Syrian, and Iraqi women tell their stories, too. How they were taken into captivity after their husbands were either murdered or forced to join ISIS. Their children forever scarred by images too unbearable for young minds.

Weak. Fatherless. Poor. Oppressed. It’s who we help at Partners Relief & Development.

As we take a deeper look into this Psalm, Regardless. It’s where we find God’s heart. we wonder if it’s more of an invitation It’s not always easy to follow His heart. It than a directive. Calling us to look beyond usually means finding Him in those hard ourselves. At the poor, the oppressed, the places ... where suffering can’t be measured helpless, the orphan. Because God seeks a … among those whose faith looks very heart whose love for Him is first; then next different than ours … but where He knows He leads us to loving others. our actions will communicate more love.

Less words.

Psalm 82:3 has changed how we do life.

It’s why on a miserable 122 degree day in Heavenly Father, if Psalm 82:3 is your war-torn Iraq we handed water, food, and invitation for each of us, then help us to shoes to barefoot women and children from be willing to follow where Your heart leads!

ISIS families fleeing from shelled buildings as airstrikes and mortars exploded around *Name changed them during the liberation of Mosul.

Day 10: The Life God Has Given You Allison Kingry, Foster Parent Frazer Member Read Ephesians 3:20 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Living on mission for God in my life looks like surrender. Surrender of the life I thought I’d be living, surrender of the life I feel like I “should” have, surrender of other people’s opinions on what I should or should not be doing. Ultimately it looks like choosing to continually lean into Jesus to reveal his purpose for my life.

glory, and the question of why shouldn’t my life be turned upside-down to love the least and the lost?

This verse in Ephesians serves as a reminder that I cannot walk this journey of foster care alone. I am not strong enough, but the Lord is able to take what we do have, plus our gifts and our willingness, and He is able to do immeasurably more than anything we could even think would be possible. This brings me so much hope! Our God is so big, and loves us so much, we cannot even dream up what He has planned for us. All we need to do is submit our ways and our wants, and then trade them for His, and He will handle the rest.

About a year ago, I mailed an application I love this quote from John Piper: to Montgomery County Department of “Occasionally, weep deeply over the life you Human Resources to apply to be a foster hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then parent. I was scared, nervous, and certainly wash your face, trust God, and embrace the felt unqualified to care for foster children, life that He’s given you.” This quote speaks and yet all the while, I knew beyond a directly to my heart because I think it is all shadow of a doubt the Lord was calling me too easy to forget our life is not necessarily to it. He placed it on my heart well over a going to look the way we think it will when year before that, and I had prayed about we are following Jesus. He will lead us to it and told the Lord all the reasons it was places we would never walk on our own. He not something I could do—I did not make will set our feet to move towards people we enough money, I would be a single parent, would not move towards on our own. He it would affect every part of my life. He takes us on an adventure, a wild adventure, met me there with conviction about how but certainly one that brings honor and I’m stewarding the resources He has given glory to His name alone. me, how I’m using my spare time for His

Day 11: Keep it Simple Debbie Peavy, Director Transformation Montgomery Read Luke 10:27 “The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

As I was listening to the radio a song came on that made me stop and take notice. It says, “Keep it real simple, Love God and Love People.” That is exactly what Jesus tells us in Luke 10:27. Sometimes instead of keeping it simple we start telling God who we can and cannot love. Do I really need to love people who are different than me? What about the people who constantly sin? Why should I love people who have wronged me?

For the past seven years I have been a missionary with Transformation Montgomery. Looking back I see that God was preparing me my entire life for where I am today. I am so blessed that God allows me to show love to people who are different from me in looks, background, education and values. If we truly love God, then loving people should come naturally.

I have found that the best way to witness to people is to show love. Through love we form relationships and then God allows us to share the plan of salvation.

This has never been more evident than when nine of our students at Transformation Montgomery accepted Jesus as their Savior and were baptized. They were surrounded by people who have poured love into them for years. As I looked around I couldn’t help but realize that only the love of God would put this group of people together.

We had a General, an Ex-Convict, Pastors, teachers, and everything in between.

What a privilege to serve a God of Love and to be a part of a church who shows that love in so many ways. I would like to challenge you to pray about how you can show the Love of God. For some it is by giving resources, for others its by volunteering your time and talents. It may be calling to check on people who are going through a difficult time, or speaking a kind word to someone who needs to be encouraged. Just keep it simple, Love God and Love People!

I know that our Heavenly Father will reveal to you how you can grow His Kingdom.

Day 12: We Can’t Stop Yousef’s Story, from Jimmy Aycock, International Leadership Institute Read John 9:4 “We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.”

To be a missionary in our region is to give your life to serve Him wherever He wants you to go for His Gospel. In most of our 22 Arabic speaking countries, evangelism is banned. But does that mean we should give up trying to reach them? Of course not. As Peter and John answered the Jews leaders in Acts 4:19-20, “For we are unable not to speak whatever we see and hear.”

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:15: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.” So, when we think of living for Him, we spend our lives for His sake.

Once, we were chosen to fly to Yemen to launch an underground church on Christmas event. Yemen is a completely Islamic state with no official Christianity. If someone is caught with a gospel or giving a gospel to someone, they would put him in jail for life. So, we started praying for this divine opportunity and we found peace from God to go. Myself and my wife Cathy planned to go for Him and we assumed that we would not return home again.

We took a big suitcase filled with Christmas gifts and flew to Yemen. On landing, Cathy had to wear veil. We went to our missionary there who had been evangelizing individuals for seven years. He had reached around thirty families, but none of them knew each other. We decided to visit these families

one by one and invite them to a Christmas party in our missionary’s house, only for two hours to decrease the risk. At 6:00 p.m., Yemeni believers started coming and we were there to greet them. Upon seeing each other, they were surprised that others had become Christians and started asking, “Are you also Christian? How did it happen and when?” They knew each other but they did not know that they are Christian. It was like heaven, hearing their testimonies, and we ended up staying for more than six hours.

For Christmas we brought two tree trunks and made a cross, putting the presents under it, since they did not have a Christmas tree having never celebrated Christmas before.

So, the Yemeni church started and they are growing even in the present time in the midst of a difficult time of war. We returned home safe after this great event.

One more story: In Morocco, where we were training 25 leaders two years ago for five days, on the fourth day the Lord told us to shorten the training for a night, and so we left after just four days. The following day, which would have been the fifth day, police came to the place where we were doing the training asking and investigating about us.

We praise the Lord as He protected us and no harm happened to us.

As our ex-pastor, who is in heaven now, used to tell us, “go and work for the sake of the gospel without letting anyone know, just do it for Him.” So, if we are given a word from Him, shall we give up and wait for permission to give this living word to the needy? No, we will follow Jesus. As He said: “As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me.

Night is coming, when no one can work.”

Day 13: A Finishing Kick Jimmy Aycock, International Leadership Institute

really learn what it meant to “walk by faith.”

As God took me step by step in that journey, it eventually resulted in hearing God speak clearly that I was to leave pastoral ministry “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. for something He would show me in due Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at time. That is when I began to work in telling others the Good News, and fully carry out missions full-time, working primarily in the ministry God has given you. As for me, my life the nations of the Middle East and North has already been poured out as an offering to God. Africa, as well as other nations in which The time of my death is near. I have fought the good the Gospel is restricted and believers are fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained persecuted. Being on mission with God faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown will always require surrender, obedience, of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous and faith, and will always be “The Great Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And Adventure.” the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

Now, although I am six months away from “retirement age,” but I know there is never I am 64 years old. In October, my wife and any retirement from being on mission I will have been married 39 years. Our 12th with God. As I approach this next season grandchild will be born in September. I was of my life, I am focused on the words of a pastor for over 30 years, and have been Paul to the much younger Timothy. Paul in full-time mission work for eight. At this was approaching the end of his life, but he point, I have lived more of my life than I wasn’t easing his way toward the finish line, have left to live, and I can unequivocally and he was exhorting Timothy to run hard state that following Jesus is the greatest as well. He speaks of enduring hardship, adventure one can have. It is so wonderful spreading the Gospel, and making sure that to look back at the faithfulness of God over you do all God has for you to do. He also the years, but my focus now is toward the speaks of his personal desire to be “poured future. The great desire of my heart at this out” until the very end. Paul knows that moment in my life is to finish well. his life is almost over, and his desire is to be able to sprint to the finish line. I too, want Over the years I have learned that being to serve long and serve well, and finish the on mission with God requires ongoing race with a strong “kick” at the end. surrender and obedience, and a willingness to step out in faith. My first experience in Regardless of where we are in our race cross-cultural missions was the result of of life, let’s run well. Let’s be surrendered, an act of obedience, rather than a desire. obedient, and faithful, and let’s commit to Because of the decision to obey, my life was running hard all the way to the end. Let’s changed. I was challenged, enriched, and finish well! propelled forward in my life of following Jesus. I fairly quickly was led to pray to Read 2 Timothy 4: 5-8

Day 14: Trusting through Trials Billy Irvin, Director of Ministry Relations, Faith Radio Read Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

At Faith Radio/WLBF, our ministry broadcasts God’s truth all day, every day so that we can help strengthen the local church and families as they grow in Christ.

This ministry has strengthened my own faith as I’m constantly learning about trusting the Lord with the good and bad things that happen to us. When you live a life on mission, God will use your circumstances to draw you closer to Him because He has a holy purpose for you.

we cried, leaned on scripture, and prayed.

We asked God to heal Alissa, and wake up Will. God heard our prayers. He provided healing for Alissa, and after spending 11 days in the NICU, God woke up Will in heaven.

God tells us to trust Him completely because our own understanding will not sustain us. On April 22nd, my son-in-law, Slade, texted me in his crisis: “God led us down this road, and I trust He will continue to lead us through this.” Throughout this journey, we have turned to some great truths that we’ve heard on Faith Radio, and we now understand that not everything is meant to be understood. Because of who God is and how He loves us, we can trust Him. God allows hardship in our lives so that our beliefs will become more and more real to us and less and less theory. It is not the trials in your life that develop or destroy you, but rather your response to those hardships. God doesn’t give us what we can handle; God helps us handle what we are given.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” This promise had never rung so true in our hearts as it did on April 22, 2021, when our family No matter what you are going through today, experienced the darkest moment in our life. know that it’s impossible to simultaneously After a healthy pregnancy, my daughter trust God and not trust God. Each one of was anticipating a smooth delivery of her us has a unique hurt, and God knows them second child, a son, Will Parrish. Baby all. God picked you and equipped you for Will’s life began in a listless state after some whatever it is that you’re going through. unexpected extreme birth complications.

You are God’s child, and He loves you These complications caused my daughter, and will provide for your every need. Trust Alissa, to experience massive bleeding, two Him through your pain, because God sees, emergency surgeries, and a lot of uncertainty He loves, and He is at work in your crisis. on our part. During those uncertain hours,

Day 15: Believe Robyn Blessing, Executive Director Life On Wheels Read Romans 4:20-21 “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise.

In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”

Living a life on mission for God doesn’t look anything like I thought it would!

In my case, when my husband and I were getting ready to retire and move to the beach God turned my life upside down with the start of a new career. I was asked to volunteer in a new ministry and ended up being hired as the Executive Director.

Now, almost five years later, I have been able to share my testimony with thousands of people, in person, social media, and in publications.

How can this happen? I believe it boils down to these three things: 1. Be Available

In my case, I had the time, but I had different plans. Being available and willing to change direction has made this ministry opportunity possible.

2. Be Brave I have read Joshua 1:1-9 so many times, and God told Joshua three times to “be strong and courageous.” I know that through Him I can be strong and courageous, even when I can’t see how things could possibly work out and especially when I don’t feel strong or courageous! I find He doesn’t always tell me HOW it will work out, but I have found I can trust Him work it all out in the most wonderful ways.

3. Believe Believe that the One who formed you in your mother’s womb will direct your paths and give you good success. When you are fully persuaded that God will do what He promised, it is both freeing and exciting to stand back and watch Him do it!

Day 16: Resurrection Response Lynn Martin, Frazer Staff Homeless Care Ministry Read Deuteronomy 15:11 “There will always be some in the land who are poor.

That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.”

We are commanded by the Lord to take care of our needy in the land. We can take care of their physical needs like food, clothes and shelter, but I think the most important thing the Lord wants us to do is take care of their spiritual needs. We can stand and serve food and hang up clothes all day long but if we don’t look the people in the eye and smile and talk to them and let the love of Jesus flow through us to them, what we do is in vain.

For a long time, I didn’t know what to do when encountering someone with a homeless sign on the side of the road. I could toss them out some money (even though that may not be what they really need) or go and buy them a meal and bring it back to them. Most of the time I would just ignore them as though they had no value. I often

felt prompted by the Holy Spirit that I should have opened my heart of stone and done something to share Jesus with them in some way, like having an extra Bible in the car to give them, or giving them a flier showing them where they can receive help for their needs. I should have gotten their name and told them that God loves them and that I will pray for them. Jesus died and rose again for that person!

Peter and John, when encountering the lame man at the gate of the temple, told him that they had no silver or gold to give him. Instead, Peter used the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’s name to infuse life into the man’s legs. We have the same resurrection power in us to make a difference in our brother’s and sister’s lives that we encounter every day.

Jesus is coming soon, and we need to take every opportunity to show others the way to salvation and share how they can experience the abundant life that Jesus said he came to bring.

Day 17: Go for Him. After my love for Christ, my focus is to love others. This has taken on different forms for me over the years. It starts with Read Matthew 28:19-20 being in the moment. By that I mean being intentional in radiating the love of Christ “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, with whomever I am with. It starts in the baptizing them in the name of the Father and of home and then goes out from there. the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, This focus on loving others has led me to I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” teaching Sunday school and into short-term missions. Leading teams on short-term Go is a two-letter verb which did not mean a missions is my passion. I’ve been on 18 lot to me until 1994. In that year I accepted mission trips to Cuba, leading most of them.

Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on a Walk to Emmaus. In 1994 my life was Taking a team into the mission field does radically changed. ‘Go’ took on a new two things: First, the team blesses the host meaning. You see, ‘Go’ is part of a scripture church both spiritually and financially. which drives my life, Matthew 28:19-20. Second, this blessing is overshadowed by Because of what it says, ‘Go’ defines who the blessing each team member receives I am. ‘Go’ is what it looks like to live a life from the host church. I have seen so many on mission for God. people come back from a short-term mission experience on fire for the Lord. They get Matthew 28:19 is the Great Commission. involved in ministries that they never would God is commanding us to go out into the have considered prior to the trip. God uses world and make followers of Him. So, what short-term missions to change lives. does a life to live on mission for God look like to me since my life was radically changed God can use you to change lives. God in 1994? First and foremost, I stepped off will provide and equip whomever he has the throne and Jesus Christ replaced me. called. He has a ministry just for you. He He is first in my life. I certainly stumble a knows your hesitations and wants nothing lot and try to knock Him off that throne but more than for you to answer His call. He when all is said and done, He is still there. will provide all you need to accomplish his purpose. Go! With my focus on Christ, I am on mission Gary Cochran, Frazer Member Cuba Missions

Day 18: Good News to Prisoners Denny Rea, Frazer Member Prison Ministry Read Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.”

How amazing is a Chapel worship service when the members come in stripped of individual pride, which clouds a humble openness of heart, as they approach the altar of Jesus?

Imagine attending a service where everyone wears the same outfit, so the talk of fashion does not crowd the conversations about the body of Christ.

Imagine your joy when you witness the anticipation of a man whose parents never told him about Jesus, as he walks to the altar, kneels, and confesses a lifetime of sin to his Savior, and experiences the washing of Jesus’ blood, as the tears roll down his cheeks.

Each Tuesday, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., a small team from Frazer are blessed to

lead such a service at Kilby Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison, where inmates gather inside the Penal Chapel to openly worship our Lord, with enthusiastic participation and interest. We are there to praise our Lord with songs, share our stories of Jesus’s presence in our lives, give hope and inspiration from the words of the Holy Bible, and pray for and with the men at the altar.

The inmates have lost their freedoms, their privileges, their family presence, and most of their pride. They all wear the tan uniforms of convicts with no individualism. Many are at the very bottom of their lives, wondering how they will ever cope. Ninety percent of the men have families and children of their own, which adds a burden to their hearts. Some have never been introduced to Christ, and more have never received Christ in their hearts. That is God’s mission for Frazer’s volunteers.

Do you sense a calling to visit those who are incarcerated?

Pray that God will nudge you to find the right place for the talents He has given only to you.

Day 19: Train Them Up Michael Thornton, Founder & Executive Director, New Heights for Youth Read Proverbs 22:6 “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

I firmly believe that one of the greatest mission fields has always been impacting youth for God. In my efforts to reach youth through my nonprofit, I always remember two strategies my mother used with me as a child. First, she protected me from overwhelmingly negative influences during my formative years as she helped me build a strong foundation to be able to handle those influences after the foundation was built.

with little to no guidance, boundaries, or shelter while their impressionable minds are being formed.

The second strategy my mother used was intentional exposure to positivity during my formative years that included positive people, positive messages and positive activities.

I can still remember the music and the messages that I heard and saw modeled at home, at church, and at specially chosen schools. I can still remember playing the “Bible games” and other family games and activities that are still some of my fondest memories. I can see how she helped me develop a solid foundation, an appetite for loving God, and an appetite for loving people.

Even as a child, I realized that many kids Some people are surprised when I tell them didn’t have the covering or the exposures that I never knew the hugely popular white that I had. I realized that many kids in my building in my neighborhood that I rode community were more talented and more by or walked by almost every day was a intelligent, but they didn’t have someone to community center for kids until I was 12 “dedicate” or “train” them “in the way they years of age. My mother was intentional to should go.” When I saw how many young create an environment for me that would people weren’t protected emotionally and help me to blossom and thrive later. When I spiritually or systematically and intentionally did start attending the center at 12, I quickly exposed to Godly influences to help shape was asked to be one of the leaders there their heart and mind, I dedicated my life to despite my young age, and it was simple for doing that for other kids to help them reach me to avoid opportunities for negativity. I “New Heights.” I also know that sometimes often think about the implications of that the seeds may come to fruition over time when I think about kids who are being as opposed to immediately, as we may secretly “trained” into negativity often in want. Despite our best efforts, results are plain view under ear pieces or behind closed sometimes only visible “when they are old.” doors by music, games, or social media

Day 20: I Know Your Works Cornelius Jackson, Executive Director, House to House Community Development Read Revelations 3:8

Back to the question: Are you energetic and encouraging? Are you engaging folks to witness your new life in Christ Jesus— pointing to Him as the catalyst for your labors of love?

“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.”

Or have you discovered that of late, you have been lethargic, and your works have been lackluster when it comes to expressing your love for the One who gave His life for you?

There are times when our labors in the Kingdom of God are copious. We are serving in church, going on mission trips, and visiting those who need a helping hand. Other times, our Kingdom efforts are stagnant, and our once-lively works are listless.

Believers, the world is our workplace, and it is waiting for us to “clock in”! We can get as much overtime as we would like! So, let’s hear Paul’s counsel in 1 Corinthians 15:58 anew, namely, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Jesus declares in Revelations 3:8 “I know your works!”

Prayer: God, where and when I have labored and it has advanced Your name in the earth, bless those works and multiply them to bring glory to Your name! And where and when I have sat when I could have served… been weary when I could have worked… forgive me and energize me again! For Jesus Christ’s sake, Amen.

If you had to assess your works, how would you measure up? Be honest.

To be clear, I am talking about the things you do because you are saved…not things you might attempt to do to earn salvation.

(That work was accomplished by Jesus Christ alone!)

Day 21: Being Present B.G. in East Asia Read Psalm 90:17

Sometimes being on mission with Him is being a part of big things He is doing, but often it’s in the daily little things.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Sometimes it’s quietly talking to the Father about my patients while I’m placing my hands on them to do therapy.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Sometimes it’s blowing bubbles to help a child not cry in therapy

I’m working overseas as physical therapist with children and adults and am training local physical therapists. There are language and cultural differences to work through and many people to care for. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the needs around me and feel like I am carrying many burdens.

This verse is often something I am asking the Father to do, especially with such a hands-on profession.

Sometimes it’s getting to be a part of helping a child walk independently for the first time.

Living my life on mission for the Father means partnering with Him. It means engaging in a continual conversation with Him throughout the day. The mission is asking what He wants us to do together that day and asking how to work alongside him.

Sometimes it’s encouraging therapists as they are treating their patients and helping them understand the importance of caring for the whole person.

Sometimes it’s directly sharing the good news with a family and seeing them come to faith.

It’s being present to the Father and open to what He has for the day and asking Him to establish the work of my hands.

It’s realizing that it’s not all dependent on my skills and knowledge but that I can surrender things into his capable hands and that He will do the work.

Day 22: The Good News These acts of service seem very small and unimportant when compared to the latest political scandal, debt crises, and celebrity divorce. Yet, most of these news stories Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 being reported on today will be quickly forgotten. And most of these stories have “So, my brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, very little eternal significance and minimal always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you effect on God’s redemptive purposes. But know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” from God’s perspective, one act of love It’s always interesting to see what stories the from one person has incredible importance news channels will obsess over. One thing and worth. One soul saved and one person is a guarantee: they will usually focus on served makes all of heaven rejoice! negative events. Ratings are the main goal, It is such a privilege to be a part of a ministry and good news simply does not get enough that has a heart for serving others. I am viewers. You’ll never hear a story about a very excited about what Project 82 is doing group of adults who spent a whole week and what it will do in the future. As a pastor, serving in another country. You’ll never there is no greater joy than witnessing our hear about guardians learning how to sow team take part in God’s redemptive mission. in order to help sustain their family. The So, wherever you serve and however you news will never give a report about people serve, please “know that nothing you do for rescuing abandoned babies and taking care the Lord is ever useless.” God is working of them day and night. You’ll rarely read and active in profound ways around our about the amazing Kenyan families who world...it’s just most of the time it doesn’t are adopting children into their homes, make the headlines! and you certainly won’t hear about people giving away money to support families halfway around the world.

Rev. Dr. Brandon Dasinger, Executive Director Project 82 Kenya

Day 23: Hope Dealer John Bowman, Executive Director Hope Inspired Ministries Read Zechariah 9:12 “Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”

At Hope Inspired Ministries, our students come to us with barriers in their life which prevent them from succeeding. Those barriers are a combination of things, from their current situation and their past, that tend to rob their thoughts and steal their joy.

I have learned that while our circumstances may be different, we all face barriers in our lives. No matter what barrier is holding us back, God wants to restore our Joy twice as much. The medicine we all need is the Hope of Jesus!

In life, we have two choices. We can view our life as prisoners of our barriers or prisoners of His Hope. It’s all in how we perceive life’s circumstances. Oftentimes, we have students that come to Hope Inspired Ministries who

perceive their circumstances as a barrier, which leaves them feeling hopeless. This mentality controls their life and decisions, which leads them to failure. When we start speaking Hope into their life, they begin to realize they have purpose and value. This gives them Hope!

God created all of us on purpose and for His Glory. I remember mentoring a young man at Hope Inspired Ministries several years ago, and I had the mindset I was going to pour Hope into his life. Little did I know this lesson found in Zechariah was not just for this young man, it was for me.

God not only changed this young man’s life, He changed mine. This is when I learned the perspective of living as a prisoner of Hope. God taught me if you want a blessing, you have to be a blessing. I find my Hope in being a Hope Dealer for Jesus.

Action Step: What does it look like to live a life on mission for God? Living a life on mission for God means sharing the Hope we have found in Him.

Day 24: Crossing Bridges Eric Soard, Executive Director Wesley College Foundation Read John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

I still remember the walk across a rickety pole bridge and up a steep hill, to his house.

Wambura was going to teach me Kikuria, the local tribal language. I remember the walk and the traditional ugali served with sukmawiki, dega, and milk that we ate. I remember all of that better than I now remember the language. He was the scribe for the local elders council and from him, through language lessons, I learned many more important things: The religious practices of the tribe, the power and role of the witch doctor, and what many people in that area were really seeking from God. It was a foundational time in my ministry in Tanzania as my understanding grew, not just of the language but of people. It was not always a walk I wanted to take in the heat of the afternoon and it was not always food I was excited about eating, but

it was a window into the community that I could not have received through formal, paid language classes in the best language school in the country.

We have to be willing to move into the neighborhood, eat the food, and build new relationships. That is the only way the church will ever be able to really show its love for the world.

That is what a missionary does: They agree to be uncomfortable or agree to be the outlier in order to bring the church into a new space. They agree that their calling is greater than their culture and become a hybrid of where they are coming from and where they are going, all for the sake of the gospel. They are ultimately people who declare with their lives that the gospel is more important than the culture and community around them, their comfort, even their personal goals and agenda. It doesn’t have to be overseas and doesn’t have to involve learning a new language.

But it does require building relationships and taking and receiving lessons on gospel love across boundaries that often divide us.

Day 25: Where the Lord Leads John-Mark and Susan Brabon One Mission Society Read Mark 1:38-39 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”

As the Church Multiplication Facilitator for the island nation we call South Pacific, we would travel to the different islands training the pastors and lay leaders in how to plant house churches or satellite churches. One young pastor, Joe, attended several trainings on different islands. We often wondered about him—always with a comment or joke, always with an excuse of why that wouldn’t work, or talking with others during the training. We wondered whether he was serious about being a pastor and church planter.

Several years ago, an earthquake and tsunami ravaged part of an island several hours from his home. Pastor Joe stepped up, driving in a truck with supplies over difficult terrain taking many hours to meet the needs of the people. They gave out food and blankets, and so on to church members, neighbors and extended family. Pastor Joe drove many truck loads back and forth from

his town to the effected area. International relief groups were not allowed in. So the national church denomination gained a tremendous reputation for meeting the needs of the people.

Something happened in Pastor Joe! The Lord worked deeply in his heart and gave him a burden for lost people. He asked his supervisor, Rev. Charles, and his peer group to fast and pray on Fridays for the people of an unreached group, the Loutje tribe.

Pastor Joe visited this tribe, reaching out to 47 heads of family, around 165 people.

The people of the tribe were open to the gospel and made decisions to follow Christ as family units. Now the whole village has accepted the Lord and are preparing to be baptized.

In another place, Pastor Joe shared Christ with five persons of Muslim background.

They committed their lives to Jesus and as a result, were chased out of their homes.

They are all living with Pastor Joe and his family as he disciples these new believers and teaches them how to share their faith!

In the life of a missionary, we have the opportunity to teach, train and pray for the church planters who then, share Christ with others. And many lives have been transformed!

Day 26: Fishers of Men Jeff Hand, Fishers Farm Read Matthew 4:18-20 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

In this same account in Luke, Peter looks at Jesus and says, “Depart from me for I am a sinful man!” Jesus tells him to not be afraid. He tells him that from now on he will be catching men.

Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men.

It is incredible to me to think that the Creator of all things would use us..sinful, broken, people to partner with him by telling the world the good news.

Fishers Farm was birthed from the desire to walk out Matthew 4:20. This was one way for us to answer God‘s calling to become fishers of men.

When I think about Jesus’ twelve disciples I like to remember that one thing they all had in common was they weren’t necessarily “the cream of the crop.”

But Jesus saves the broken. He didn’t come for the well, but for the sick. When I look

at the men that come in to Fishers Farm I see many similarities. Men that have been struggling with life dominating sins, at their worst, at their lowest, have nowhere to look, but up. We have the privilege of pointing these men to the Savior.

I was greatly encouraged by a young man that came through the program a few years back. He quickly put his faith in Christ and grew exponentially over the past year. I knew that God was going to do something great with this young man. Today he is working as the youth director at a local church, still growing, and fervently pointing other people to the Savior.

Telling people about Christ in the context of working in a ministry like Fishers Farm, or on church staff like this young man, is great.

But this calling is not just for those who work for a ministry or are on church staff.

I want to encourage you that It doesn’t matter where you work, or where you live, or what you do, in God‘s sovereignty he has placed you where he has for a reason.

Acts 17:26 Your calling and your purpose, christian, is to point others to the Savior. It is to tell people the truth about who God is, and who they are. To share the gospel with them, which is the only hope that they have, for eternal life with God. Do not be afraid. Follow Him, and he will make you a fisher of men.

Day 27: In God’s Image Kevin King, King’s Canvas Read Genesis 1:27 So God created human beings in his own image.

In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

In 2013 my wife and daughter gifted me with art supplies for Father’s Day and God used this special gift to realign my purpose.

I can recall a year later sitting on my couch looking at the art work mounted on the interior walls of my home. My immediate verbal response was “This is good!”. This statement immediately moved me to reflect on the God of creation and how He deemed His work good after each day of creating.

In the first chapter and verse of Genesis, God first reveals Himself to us as creator of the heavens and earth. Genesis 1: 27 says “So God created man in his own image, in

the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”. As an image bearer one of the opportunities that we have before us is to reflect our creator, even in our creativity. Creativity isn’t just a past time or a hobby that we do to keep ourselves and others entertained. This is a special calling by God to reflect this attribute. In Exodus 31:1 The Lord told Moses that He had filled Bezalel the son of Uri with the spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs and to work in every craft (paraphrase). What an amazing calling we have as artists to glorify the Lord by simply creating. Find your art. From this day forward understand that the earth and everything in it belongs to our King, and this Universe is The King’s Canvas.

Day 28: Joy Warriors that Philemon was indeed a Joy Warrior.

Paul was encouraged and filled with joy because of Philemon’s love, Philemon’s Read Philemon 1:7 joy, Philemon’s work. Joy has this domino effect; the joy of one inspires the joy of “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, another. Living a life on mission means because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of cultivating joy. It means unapologetically the Lord’s people.” and intentionally allowing the joy of the Not long ago, I was reading a certain book Lord to overflow from our hearts and ripple and came along the phrase “Joy Warrior”. throughout those in our communities. In I can’t remember the book or the author, this way, your love may give great joy and but this phrase has stayed with me and has encouragement to another, who in turn become part of my daily prayer. Lord, make spurs on another with even greater joy and me a warrior for your joy. It seems now encouragement. more than ever, we, the redeemed people May we walk this day together as Joy of God, must fight for the joy of the Lord.

Warriors, noticeably spilling over a richness Fight against the culture of complaining, of joy incomprehensible, yet simultaneously fight against the norm of exhaustion, fight contagious on mission that His joy may be through the very real obstacles set before made complete in us! us, fight for joy’s glorious freedoms. As Paul writes these words to Philemon, it seems Blair Brendle, 100X Development

Day 29: Faith and Work Sean Miller, North Caribbean Area Director, Child Evangelism Fellowship Read Colossians 3:17, 23-24 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him… Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Emphasis added)

on mission for God. God gives each of us talents and abilities that we must leverage for both the betterment of our city, world and ultimately the eternal kingdom. When Jesus came down and lived among us, this fact was not lost on Him, Jesus worked in the ‘secular’ world before He entered what we would today describe as vocational ministry. It has been said that “Jesus spent eight-five percent of his working life as a carpenter, …(spending) most of his work life as a secular builder in a for-profit business.”

When you think about ‘living a life on mission for God’, often times people think As you think about Colossians 3:17, 23of missionaries who go thousands of miles 24 today, know that your own skills and away to preach the Gospel in a cross-cultural passions combined with your God-given environment. However, if you believe in the talents and abilities can be leveraged towards Lord Jesus Christ, this calling is true for you the specific calling upon your life. I know regardless of your specific vocation! A few that I am placed where I am to serve and weeks ago I was talking with a new friend help others in the Caribbean reach their who owns a commercial supply company. nation’s children with the Gospel.

He was asking numerous questions about what Mandi and I do in missions with Tom Nelson writes on this: “As a follower Child Evangelism Fellowship throughout of Christ who has been born from above, the Caribbean. We have the privilege in you have been equipped and empowered ministry of serving local churches to help by the Holy Spirit to make an important them reach children with the Gospel. We vocational contribution, a contribution train & equip national CEF leaders as they that God providentially arranged for you minister to children in their own country. to make in this world. There is a place At the conclusion of the conversation, he where your deep gladness and the world’s said, “I feel like God wants me to actually deep hunger meet.” do something for Him, and I don’t know if I should sell the business and become a Faith and work should merge together in light of the Gospel. Live a life on mission for missionary or not.”

God in the area God has equipped you for, Here was a man exceptionally gifted in because ‘you are serving the Lord Christ!’ commercial sales and supply chains. He had a network of largely unsaved individuals Further Reading: Mark Russell, Our Souls that he regularly is in contact with. He has at Work: How Great Leaders live their Faith in the a daily opportunity to be salt & light in this Global Marketplace. Tom Nelson, Work Matters: world (Matthew 5:13-16) and yet did not Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work. feel like he was able to genuinely live a life

Day 30: Go Home and Tell Noah Probst, CRU Read Mark 5:19-20 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

relieving a demon-possessed man in Mark 5:1-20. In summary, this man had been isolated from his home. Verses 3 and 4 say he had been shackled, but no chains could hold him. No human could restrain him.

Before he could even cry out to Jesus upon his arrival, Jesus commanded the demons to leave him. We are told through this passage that this man was completely transformed upon the demons’ exit. Per verses 14-15, this man who had been demon-possessed was in his right mind and clothed.

Have you experienced life change by the power of the Holy Spirit? If you have, have In fact, he had been moved so significantly by you considered that may be all you need what Jesus had done for him that he wanted for God to use you? My wife Lydia and I to leave Decapolis with him. Surprisingly, work for Cru, the U.S. ministry of Campus Jesus told him ‘no.’ Instead, he told him to Crusade for Christ in Hattiesburg, MS. go home and tell the people there about all Earlier today, August 26, 2021, Lydia and I that the Lord had done for him (verse 19)! were sitting at a table in the student union All he had was his story of transformation at the University of Southern Mississippi. from the inside out, and that is all Jesus We were not expecting anything out of believed he needed. You too have this the ordinary to take place. We simply had if your life has been surrendered to the some office work to do, and we value being transforming power of the Holy Spirit. visible to students while doing so.

Who are 2-3 people you could share About 30 minutes after we had logged into about how Jesus changed your life this our laptops, a sophomore named Jude week? Your co-worker, co-volunteer at approached us. Jude came with us to Miami the Salvation Army, neighbor, teammate, on a mission trip this past summer, where or child may have never experienced the he became very skilled at sharing his faith.

Spirit’s transforming power. You could be While we were catching up, he shared a the one God uses to change this. story about a student he had met from an event with his fraternity. At this event, he Go and tell them what your life was like learned this student was not a Christian. before knowing Christ, what led to your life He decided to share the story of how he change, and how your life is different now. came to know Christ. The next day, this Remember, Jesus will be with us always, to student told him he gave his life to Christ! the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20)!

This beautiful work of God through Jude’s faithfulness reminds me of the story of Jesus

Day 31: Fullness of Joy Naomi Kemp, Child Evangelism Fellowship Read Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

In the hustle of daily life, living on mission for God can seem like a background task.

Even “in the field,” asking myself if I’m still living on mission can be daunting! But in His infinite grace, God gives us verses like Psalm 16:11.

God literally tells me that there is JOY in the path of life He chose for me. He will make it known! I do not have to do some insurmountable task to find it. In this year, just looking for the positive in all the negative has been a huge part of mission-focused living. Lots of negativity and closed doors were bringing me down.

Here at Child Evangelism Fellowship, our main ministry is Good News Clubs, an after school program taught by church

volunteers using our materials. We couldn’t be in schools at all in 2020, and it looks like we won’t be in many schools for fall 2021. But God. Even with closed doors and hearing “no,” we had an incredible summer of ministry with 5-day Clubs! Nearly 400 children heard the Gospel with about 30 receiving Jesus as their Savior. For the fall, we have a few schools pursuing avenues by which a safe club is still possible. For those who cannot, we will send packets to the children who would normally be in clubs with Bible focused activities and prayer devotionals. I know it’s a mess, but God is truly showing me that even in the darkest times, even when we can’t see each other in person, we can still live on mission and be fruitful. Like the verse I started with says, “there is fullness of joy.” I cannot predict where we will be a year from now, but I do know God will guide us through it for his glory- and if I’m staying in His will? There are “pleasures forevermore.”

May your day be full of God’s love, His joy, and His blessings.

Day 32: Empty Nets John Gibbons, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Read Luke 5:1-11

Jesus to direct his course.

• WIN by not surrendering to past failures

Peter had already cleaned his empty nets but “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all chose to obey Jesus and God filled his nets! last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” (Matthew 5:5) • WIN by worshiping God with a humble heart Many times, as we attempt to serve God we can have seasons of emptiness, wondering Peter gives glory to God for the harvest are we really making a difference for God’s with a humble and repentant heart. kingdom. After fishing all night, Peter only • WIN by letting go of the temporal to had empty nets from his hard labor. embrace the eternal work of God to fish When Peter encountered Jesus on the shore for people by using our time, talent, and teaching the Word of God, his response of treasure to bring glory to God as we preach obedience produced a miracle that would the gospel and make disciples of all nations.

God is using this time of emptiness in the change Peter’s priorities forever. hearts of those we minister to by filling their • WIN by listening and obeying God’s Word hearts with God’s love, God’s presence, and God’s purpose for their lives as we align Jesus is teaching Gods Word and Peter our lives with the truth of God’s Word. We stopped to listen. thank you for your support that is making this season of empty nets full of God’s • WIN by surrendering your resources to presence for Athletes and coaches in the accomplish Kingdom work River Region.

Peter gave control of his boat and allowed

Day 33: Send Me Tom Bridges, Chaplain Let God Arise Ministries Read Isaiah 6:8-10 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”

There comes a time in the heart of a Christian believer when going through the motions of Christianity is no longer satisfying.

This believer in Jesus Christ begins to ask this question, “Lord Jesus, is this all I am supposed to do for You—go to work, make money, go to church, tithe, come home, and repeat the same over and over?

One day I read this scripture in Isaiah about “here am I, send me,” and I responded to the Lord in prayer: “Lord, I make myself available for your service. Amen.”

Shortly thereafter, I received a phone call from a friend. “Tom,” he said, “I have been ministering to the elderly residents at Covenant Village and will not be able to continue. Would you be willing to fill in for me? I remembered my prayer promise to the Lord and said ‘yes.’ Every Sunday for 1-1/2 years, I shared the love of Jesus with the elderly residents. I saw God move and save many souls. The first resident at Covenant Village, a Jewish man, prayed and accepted Jesus Christ as his Messiah.

God began opening doors into the prisons.

As a lay minister, I shared the love of Jesus Christ with the inmates at Frank Lee prison.

One day, a pastor friend invited several brothers in Christ to attend a gathering for special prayer from several seasoned Christian brothers he knew. When one of the brothers prayed for me, he said, “Tom, the Lord is saying to you, it is time to put on your running shoes, for He is rolling out the red carpet, and what He is doing in you starts today.”

During the same gathering a brother receiving prayer said, “Tom, the Lord just showed me that you are supposed to go with me to the city jail this Sunday.” One day, the chaplain at the Montgomery County Detention Facility invited me to volunteer to share the love of Jesus in the county jail.

In September, 1992 the chaplain called me and said that his wife was very sick.

They were leaving Alabama and returning home to Louisiana. He said that he had been praying for someone to replace him as chaplain, and the Lord kept putting my name on his heart. “Tom,” he asked, “would you be willing to replace me as the Facilities Chaplain to the Montgomery county, city and federal jails?” After praying, the Lord impressed upon my heart, “Son, when you go to the jails to minister, you are there to minister to Me. I will care for the inmates and bring them to salvation.”

I was later asked one day by someone inquiring about the jail ministry, “Tom, how many souls have you saved in the jail?” I responded, “Not one—but I have witnessed Jesus Christ save thousands.”

Day 34: Honoring the King Curtis McGown, Executive Director Valeo Clinical Care for Global Workers Read Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

I lived in the Kingdom of Thailand for several years under the longest reigning monarch in the world, at that time. There were daily reminders of whose kingdom we lived in. The king’s image had to be displayed in all public buildings, and many families displayed his image in their homes out of honor. In addition to his image being displayed everywhere, there was a daily song every morning and every evening that was played over radio, TV, and every loud speaker in every public place in the country. Every morning and every evening an entire kingdom stood still and quietly, ceasing from all activity in order to give honor to the king.

Not only were there visual and auditory affirmations that this kingdom belonged to this king, but his generosity and acts of provision were noted and displayed throughout the land - parks, gardens, buildings, schools, hospitals, etc.

Demonstrations of his goodness, provision, and generosity were on display for all of the people to enjoy.

In Genesis, we see God create His Kingdom and His image bearers, man and woman.

Then He directs His image bearers to fill all of the earth, as this is the sign that the land, where His image is present, belongs to Him, His Kingdom. We pray in the Lord’s prayer that His Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. The mandate in Genesis to fill the earth and subdue it for the King of all creation is echoed again in the great commission in Matthew to go make disciples of all nations. The idea is that humans are to fill the earth, and also that those humans are to worship the King.

This is missions - to share the good news of the Savior King to all of his image bearers so that He will be worshipped in all the earth and that His Kingdom will fill the earth as it is in heaven.

Day 35: Being a Friend and observing others and then responding to their needs. As it says in the scripture we are called to serve the hungry, sick, naked, cast-aside and imprisoned. We cannot Read Matthew 25:34-46 transform the world, but we can meet people where they are. Our seemingly small Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, acts of loving kindness can make a huge you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the difference in the lives of our neighbors. Here kingdom prepared for you from the foundation at MACOA we are providing consistent of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me nutrition to some of the most vulnerable, food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was food insecure seniors in our community. a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and We know we may not be able to solve all you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was of our seniors’ individual problems, but in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous we can provide them with things essential will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see to life – food and community. you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and We provide meals to seniors, simple right? welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when What our Meals on Wheels volunteer did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ drivers discover is this is the beginning of And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to their mission. Food is our foundation, and you, as you did it to one of the least of these my from this springs life-giving relationships, brothers,you did it to me.’ an extension of Christ’s unending love for his children.

Living a life on mission for God looks a lot like being a good friend. It means listening Amy Dennis, Development Coordinator, Montgomery Area Council on Aging

Day 36: Sanctified Troublemaker Dewayne Rembert, Pastor Flatline Ministries

done on the Sabbath and that was against the Jewish authority’s law.

After his healing, the man is interrogated for carrying his mat on the Sabbath. He So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for responded, “The man who healed me breaking the Sabbath rules. But Jesus replied, “My told me to carry my mat.” He was further Father is always working, and so am I.” questioned, “Who is he that told you this?”

The point here is that this man was so It is exciting to see God moving in the focused on the law (not working on the heart of the Church of Montgomery. I am Sabbath) that he missed the miracle of honored to witness and be a part of God’s Jesus (the lame man walking). Jesus, though plan. Without a doubt, there is a spiritual sanctified, was a troublemaker to the legalists. renewal on the horizon here in our great Sometimes, Jesus will reveal to us something River Region. new to bring glory to the Father. He will I’m witnessing leaders in our community not contradict the scriptures. He came for shake things up for the glory of God. He is all people to be free. He wants all people raising up some sanctified troublemakers; to know that He loves them and He died nevertheless, we need more. Don’t miss this, on the cross for the forgiveness of their sin. the goal is to be a troublemaker against the If He’s doing that in a way you haven’t seen before, rejoice and give Him glory; kingdom of darkness. don’t shun it.

In order to be a sanctified troublemaker, it will require fully operating in radical I released a book called “Flatlined 2 NGauge” obedience to our Lord Jesus. For example, (available on Amazon.com). The premise in John 5 we find an account where Jesus of the book is to encourage and challenge shows us what a sanctified troublemaker each of God’s saints to die (flatline) to sin looks like. He encounters a man who had and to engage our neighbors with the gospel laid lame for thirty–eight years. Jesus asked (the true gauge). Sometimes, that will get him, “Do you want to get well?” The man you labeled as a troublemaker. That is okay made it clear he desired healing. Jesus then as long as the Lord is getting His glory. said to him, “Get up, pick up your mat and Will you answer the call of being a sanctified walk.” The man obeyed and picked up his troublemaker for our Lord Jesus The Christ? mat and went on his way. Now this was Read Matthew 5:16-17

Day 37: Another in the Fire seven times its normal temperature to torture and kill three men who refused to worship the gods the king created. While the three Read Daniel 3:25 men believed that God would deliver them from the depths of the blazing furnace, “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, most of those experiencing homelessness unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! have no idea who (if anyone) will save them.

And the fourth looks like a god!”

You are alone and feel the pressure and the Some days, the walls feel not only like heat of the situation upon your shoulders. they are closing in, but also like they are At some point, those who are homeless simultaneously crumbling and blazing hot. in the Montgomery area learn about When the responsibilities and expectations Friendship Mission, Inc. While not the of maintaining a home, paying bills, Savior, Friendship Mission works to ensure transportation, employment, grocery the hungry and the homeless know that shopping, meal planning, trying to make they are not alone in the blazing furnace financial ends meet, aches and pains, family, of their situations. Our doors are open and friend stuff, and then a global health and have remained open to those in need crisis called Covid-19 is thrown into the through the Covid-19 pandemic. There mix, life can seem overwhelming, and were days at the height of the pandemic rock bottom can feel like the only place that I thought I was alone in the furnace. achievable. When such a status knocks on How do I keep the shelters open to those your door in the form of an eviction and in need and keep the residents and my your new status is HOMELESS, you feel team safe? With vendors being forced to lonely. And like an unexpected shooting close, shipping reduced to super slow speed, pain, you realize that you have no support and far more demand than supply, how do from the people who are known as your I secure food and items necessary to run loved ones. two shelters and a public soup kitchen?

At this point, you are either moving out of Clearly, there is another in the fire with me the place you have called home, or you are and Friendship Mission. Daniel 3:25 “I see waking up in an abandoned building, in four men, not tied, walking around in the your car, on a park bench or perhaps in fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a a no-star motel and you do not have the son of the gods.” money to cover another night’s stay. You have nowhere to go.

Our Savior is in the fire with each of us daily. He’s even in there with those who The walls of your life are closing in, are experiencing hunger and homelessness. crumbling, and on fire. On fire like the one King Nebuchadnezzar ordered heated Tara Davis, Friendship Mission

Day 38: Rooted Katie Friedrich, Empower Asia Read Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

What do you do when the situation pans out differently than planned? In our city, the political situation is changing swiftly, causing high emigration rates. When I explained to my local friend that our family feels called to stay to support whoever remains, her eyes filled with tears and she simply said “Thank You.” We have no doubt that our faithful God has placed us here in this season. Does that mean we always know exactly what He’s doing and what we are supposed to do? Of course not!

So, how can we endure? We zoom back out to God’s overarching mission as His gospel ambassadors. God will not abandon that mission but continually invites us to join and trust Him to guide us. That is our anchor! Also, a missional life entails just that: our entire life. He asks us to live this life He’s given us “by faith in the Son of God,” or, as Paul says “not I, but Christ.”

Trusting that “Christ lives in me” and that He is the one sustaining me allows me to experience abundance and peace in Him. This is the primary way I know if I’m in step with His mission. If I’m feeling lost,

empty, or burned out it may be a case of me trying to do something FOR God rather than relying on Him. Practically speaking, the way I love my family during those “pressure points’, how I respond to language barriers, and how I speak to my kids when we are running late is also part of my mission. If I’m not practicing these simple things, how can I do the other “more advanced” ones?

Every interaction is an exercise in letting Christ live in me. Embracing our calling and vision from the Father to fulfill, and be wholeheartedly “crucified in Christ” means laying down our own selfish wishes for the sake of others in big and small ways. That is the “sweet spot” where our neighbor can see that Jesus is more valuable than anything this life has to offer. I pray that in some way I consistently reflect Him who “loved me and gave himself for me”.

I don’t want to just share empty words, I want to be able to connect with people so that they feel the embrace of Christ’s love.

It’s been 12 years since I left Alabama. I have now married and had 2 sons in my new “home”. My family is rooted here by God’s grace, and He’s given us good and holy work to step into so that more may know Christ, by the power of Christ. And I pray that wherever He’s rooted you, you can experience the goodness that is Christ living in you, too.

Day 39: For the Good Lisa Conn, Family Teams for Christ Read Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

invited us to visit his church. That first Sunday morning at Frazer was a new beginning for us. We looked at each other and said, “we’re home”! Each Sunday we received sound biblical teaching, learned how to be kind and considerate, to hold our tongue and to use words that edified and encouraged our spouse.

It was a different world in the 1960’s when Sadly, Mike’s dad died from alcoholism in we were growing up. When the streetlights 1988. As we drove home from his funeral, we turned on, we ran home for dinner with realized that if his parents had received the our family. We were in Sunday school and teaching that had saved our marriage, they church every Sunday. None of our friends probably would have learned how to really had divorced parents, in fact, as children, love each other. My parents would have we didn’t even know what divorce was. too. Our lives, our parent’s lives, the lives Knowing our parents loved each other meant of our children and grandchildren would we kids could get on with the important all have been different if our parents had work of growing up in a secure world. been equipped with God’s blueprints for That world was shattered when our parents marriage. That day, while driving home, divorced. Mike was 4 years old and will we recognized that our childhood suffering, never forget the image of his dad leaving which had followed us into adulthood, and their home, suitcase in hand. When I the heart-wrenching grief of losing Mike’s was 16, my parents split up after 20 years Dad all over again were not meaningless. of unresolved issues, unmet expectations, God had a purpose for our suffering. He and poor communication. As the months took our heartache from our parent’s divorce, and years passed, we began to realize what our own painful struggles in marriage, and we had lost. No more family dinners or now, losing Mike’s Dad and worked it all church together. No more birthdays or together for good. That day, driving home from the funeral, we knew God was calling holidays all together. us to help others through marriage ministry.

When we were planning our wedding in 1981, Mike and I vowed that “divorce” If you are allowing challenges in your would not be in our vocabulary. After the marriage to drive you apart rather than wedding we discovered that staying together “for the good” to draw you together, seek was not easy. We went from carefree days out a small group at Frazer where you too of dating to years of, like our parents, can “receive sound biblical teaching, learn unresolved issues, unmet expectations, and how to be kind and considerate, to hold our tongue and to use words that edify and poor communication. encourage your spouse.”

When we moved to Montgomery, a friend

Day 40: A Mission of Love Fred Otieno, Pastor Fred’s Kids Ministry (Migori, Kenya) Read Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I put an evangelistic team of about 50 men and women for a one week preaching mission in a remote Maasai of Kenya community. This is a very traditional tribe who see Christianity and education as enemies to their traditional way of life.

During an evening open air revival meeting while praise and worship was in progress helped by a small generator, from out of nowhere gunshots directed at us came by surprise. Everybody took off for safety, not knowing where to run under cover of darkness. We were only able to find each other the following morning. It was a deadly encounter, something nobody expected would happen to a worthy cause of preaching the Word. But such are the challenges for which anybody living mission life for God should be prepared.

As God’s children it should never be lost on us that we are people on a mission, and that we are called and also reminded to redeem the time because these are evil times. There is an urgency for God’s children to reach out. Jesus reminds us in Matt 25:35-40 of the hurting world, where people are hungry, thirsty, in need of clothing, and sick. These are just some among the many needs out there for us to meet. There is great need for the good news out there, it is the reason our Lord has charged us to ‘‘Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the A rogue drunk Maasai policeman saw us as Name of the Father and of the Son and of a threat to their way of life and he decided the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that we would not preach the word of God. things whatsoever I have commanded you, For the next four days we only preached and lo, I am with you always even unto the in the day. And a church was planted and end of the world Amen’’. Matt 28:19 -20 it is thriving today. The sweet part of the story is that during that deadly mission, We can only do it (live a life on mission Kennedy, one of my praise and worship for the Father) if we have the love of the team members, met a young woman from Father living in us. God is love and living that village who is today his beloved wife a life on mission is living God’s command and the mother of his four children. Today of love to one another. It begins with God, Kennedy is the pastor who planted our so our love to live a life on a mission for lakeside Kigoto church which has birthed the Father is our response to God’s love.

Nyasoti church too and his wife Lensa serves In one of my life on mission for God the Lord at our church as ladies’ choir experiences I had an encounter which not leader trainer, and leads the praise and only changed my life but confirmed to me worship team. “For now, we know that all that nothing happens to the beloved of God things work together for good to them who without a purpose. God is working in us to are the called according to His purpose.” produce his desired result.

Day 41: What Does a Duck Say? Daniel Sexton, Missionary OMS Japan Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

For some, Japanese English Conversation Classes become a bridge to knowing Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

I’ve been able to make many good friends with children through adults in the English classes. I’ve enjoyed sharing my life with them and their lives with me. The children’s classes have especially been enjoyable.

In one class I was teaching animal sounds in English. Animal sounds in English are different from animal sounds in Japanese.

For instance, a cow says “moo” in English but says “mo” in Japanese. A dog says “bow wow” or “woof ” in English but in Japanese it says “wan wan.” After going through several of these different animal and bird In our ministry in Japan, we have often sounds with the children I asked the class used Conversational English Classes as a “What does a duck say?” Without skipping means to build a bridge between churches a beat, they all said together, “Aflac!” and not-yet-Christians. Japanese learn English in their schools but often don’t Obviously, our students had been influenced have a chance to speak English to a native not by standard English but by English speaker. Business people like to join classes as it is presented through the medium of as they may have to travel and use English television advertisements! in their business. Housewives and others like to travel and meet new friends and Although this example is humorous, it is a reminder to us of the serious task we have: knowing English helps them to do this.

To be living translations of Jesus Christ to As most of our English classes are held in those who do not yet know Him. Let us be churches, we have the opportunity to have a careful so that when people look at those chapel time after each of our classes where of us who call ourselves Christians, they we are able to share Bible stories with the see and hear the things of Christ. What English members and pray with them. For an awesome privilege and responsibility most Japanese who attend these classes it is we have, through both our words and our the first time to be exposed to God’s Word actions, to “speak for Christ” and plead for and even to be inside a church building. people to “Come back to God!”

Day 42: Just the Right Time Brian and Kathryn Jones, Into Freedom (Chisinau, Moldova) Read 1 Corinthians 12:7 0 “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”

We have always heard that old saying about how God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. To be honest, we were never terribly fond of that little expression because it almost downplays the role of proper preparation for serving God. However, our experiences over these past seven years have given us a new appreciation for the expression.

love of a family and to build meaningful relationships with our house full of young people. He has consistently blessed us with wisdom and discernment when our girls need guidance about situations in life. We never had some stockpile of these gifts, but He has consistently blessed us with these gifts at just the right moments.

Now that we have moved on to another phase of our work here, we often see God give us an extra measure of faith in our finances. Just last month, we had an opportunity to help two girls with their university tuition and several others with life necessities. It was clear that God called us to meet these needs. Just as has happened so many times in the past, a few days later, someone unexpectedly sent us a contribution for nearly the entire amount.

In our initial roles here in Moldova, we were volunteers who were simply available to help wherever needed in the organization we worked for at the time. After we had The common thread in all these experiences been there for about nine months, some is that God wants to do things for people major changes happened in the organization, in need, and He gives all of us as followers and we suddenly found ourselves in the of Christ the amazing opportunity to be a role of house parents responsible for the little part of what He’s doing. When we say well-being of 15 teenage girls. We certainly “yes” to His plans and step out on faith, He’s felt unequipped. already there to provide whatever we need.

Whether that’s wisdom, faith, discernment, However, God wasn’t surprised by any of extra patience, or anything else, God will this, and He met us right there with a variety provide it at just the right time. As it says of spiritual gifts as we needed them. We in 1 Corinthians, spiritual gifts are given could only rely on Him each day, because we to us specifically for the benefit of others. didn’t have the necessary gifts and abilities We encourage you to step out on faith to within ourselves. We needed a boost in our do whatever God is calling you to do for language skills and organizational skills, others and for the Kingdom knowing that and He helped us there. More importantly, He will meet you there.

He gave us extra capacity to share the

Day 43: Joyful Obedience our family. When we initially had trouble getting pregnant we felt the Lord calling us to begin the process then. We submitted Read John 15:9 an application to our agency on September 13, 2017 and it was approved the next day.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

Four years later and we’re still waiting to Now remain in my love. adopt. It’s been a long and, at times, tough Throughout the Bible, there are many road… and yet we continue to wait. examples of obedience. Noah meticulously Obedience isn’t always easy. We grow weary. followed the instructions for building an ark We get frustrated. We want things to happen and the Lord established a covenant with on our timeline. So how do we continue him. Abraham trusted God enough to take in joyful obedience to the Lord? Remain his son up a mountain as a sacrifice, but as in His love and don’t give up. God is still he was placing Isaac on the altar, he was good even in the middle of your wait. Even given a lamb and Isaac’s life was spared. though our adoption hasn’t been completed, Mary believed the word of the Angel and we’ve seen many rewards along the way. We birthed the Savior of the World. Each time got pregnant and had a healthy baby boy a faithful servant of the Lord followed His in 2018. We’ve been able to share our story commands, they were rewarded. with other couples interested in adoption.

My husband and I are currently in the Keep being obedient to His calling and process to domestically adopt a baby. always remain in His love.

It’s a process filled with paperwork and What mission is the Lord calling you to appointments and interviews. We knew be obedient in? before we were married that we wanted adoption to be a part of the story of growing Elizabeth Drollette, Minister of Missions, Frazer Staff

Day 44: Taking Notice Kimberly Baker, Director of Development & Marketing, Valiant Cross Academy Read John 3:17-18 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth.

This verse is how I try to live my life. This verse is how I want my children to view the world and the people in it. Many people ask me how I ended up at Valiant Cross Academy and what led me to this ministry.

I genuinely believe I have been preparing for this opportunity for a long time. I have heard and witnessed people giving their testimonies and how they found Christ, and I always wondered when I would have that decisive moment. While I am a believer, I prayed for a calling, something that would stop me in my tracks.

When I visited the campus of Valiant Cross Academy, it was a new school, there were

only 30 young boys and minimal staff, but it was that day that God showed me where I needed to be. I watched the faces of these young, vulnerable boys and just knew I needed to help this program. I knew it was exactly what Montgomery needed, a school that pushes young African American males to be their best and to teach them with high expectations that they can and will succeed. That was six years ago, and I have watched this school thrive and grow to over 200 scholars on two campuses. This spring, we will celebrate the first graduating class for Valiant Cross Academy, and what a day this will be for their families, our staff, and this City! It has been wonderful to be a part of such a ministry and watch these young boys grow into strong, confident, and spiritual young men.

I have come to learn that when we maneuver through our daily lives, it is our responsibility to notice the world around us and learn to view people as a wealth of hidden and unexpected qualities. We need to take away the judgment and instead focus on love.

Day 45: Pressing On Michael Gross, Missions Committee Chairperson, Frazer Staff

the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Read Acts 1:8

As Frazer Church, we have done great work, but we cannot rest on our past accomplishments. We must remain “on mission” of fulfilling the Great Commission, across the street, in another city, another state, another country. And as we continue to go, here are some things to consider:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Since we know that, as Christians, the Holy Spirit has come upon us, this verse has 1. Know your gifts. “We have different moved from future tense to present tense gifts, according to the grace given us.” active. Every day, we are on duty, being Romans 12:6 a witness to the Father—at our places of employment, at school, in the stadium, 2. Apply your life experiences and lesson. while driving, and even at church. You are “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason a missionary wherever you are standing. for the hope that you have.” I Peter 3:15 When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, 3. Think more about others than yourself. they were in Jerusalem. And some of them “Each of you should look not only to your witnessed in Jerusalem, some went to Judea, own interests, but also to the interests of some Samaria and some to the ends of the others. Your attitude should be the same earth. And even now, we are an obedient as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:4-5 Church to this directive from Jesus. Because we walk down the street to check on a 4. Think of ministry as opportunity, neighbor in need or help deliver food to the not obligation. “Worship the Lord with shut-ins. We tutor and teach those who need gladness; come before him with joyful a stronger education or who are trying to songs.” Psalm100:2 learn a second language. We have traveled to 5. Humble yourself. “Humble yourselves, other parts of Alabama to help communities therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that effected by tornadoes or hurricanes. We he may lift you up in due time.” I Peter 5:6 have left our state to provide assistance 6. Get out of your comfort zone. “For for communities in need in other States. God did not give us a spirit of timidity, We have journeyed to Cuba, Haiti, Peru, but a spirit of power, of love and of selfMoldova, Kenya, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, discipline.” II Timothy 1:7 China, Russia, Estonia, Ukraine, Venezuela, Ecuador, and to other ends of the earth.

John Wesley, the Father of Methodism said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means However, the mission continues according you can, in all the ways you can, in all the to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13-14: places you can, at all the times, to all the “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself people you can, as long as you can.” So, yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I live with purpose and stay on the mission! do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward

Day 46: Healing Hope Molly Stone, Medical Outreach Ministries Read Philippians 2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others

MOM are to our patients’ quality of life and the need to keep our patients’ chronic conditions under control in the face of COVID.

Most of MOM’s volunteers are retired medical professionals with distinguished careers. These men and women could have easily packed up and headed home to wait out the pandemic. Instead, MOM implemented telehealth services for patient visits and kept the pharmacy in operation for medication pickups at the front door. Several times over the course of those early months, I would hear noise outside my office window and peek out to see one of our doctors or At Medical Outreach Ministries, our vision is nurses checking a patient’s blood pressure or to provide “Healing Hope for the Uninsured.” teaching someone how to use their glucose People come to us overwhelmed. They are meter on the clinic’s back porch. sick, stressed, and scared. In the last year, we have walked alongside patients facing It is humbling and inspiring to work with cancer, ALS, and, of course, COVID. Health people who volunteer their time and expertise problems are an ever-present indicator of in the service of others. They are following our earthly condition and our need for the the command of Jesus in loving “the least of healing hope of Jesus. these,” and the instruction of Paul as they “work heartily as for the Lord and not for In early March 2020, MOM moved its free men.” They are people living life on mission clinic into a newer, larger facility, and we were – always putting others before themselves. filled with excitement to put it to use and to grow our services. Only four days after Now that we have returned to most of reopening in our new home, the first case our pre-pandemic activities, we can look of COVID was diagnosed in Alabama. We back and see how good God has been to had to quickly retool our efforts to keep our MOM’s ministry over these months. While volunteers, staff, and patients safe amidst the our original plans may have been thwarted, uncertainty and fear of those first months of God’s plans were perfect, and He supplied the pandemic. MOM’s volunteer physicians all the tools we needed to provide a dose were adamant that we could not close the of healing hope for our neighbors in need clinic. They understood how essential the during troubling times. God is faithful. healthcare and medications provided by

Day 47: A Family on Mission Jenny Chou, Local Missions Minister Frazer Staff Read 3 John 1:4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

The best way that we can ensure God’s Mission is carried out for generations to come is to show our children how to live on Mission. Since the beginning of my ministry work, I have taken my children with me to serve. They have served at 5 am on Sunday mornings setting up for a mobile church service, stuffed envelopes, sorted donations, served meals to the homeless and so much more. Serving alongside my children has been my greatest joy in ministry!

About four years ago, I had the opportunity to take my two children to Haiti on a family mission trip. Haiti is a beautiful place but extremely broken. My children both fell in love with Haiti as did I. As a result of this trip, my daughter wants to go back on more mission trips and serve the people of Haiti. This trip lit a fire in her heart to serve

others and showed her that the world is a big place full of need.

Find the thing that lights your heart. It might be a country, the homeless, children or families in our community. It is there that you will find your heart for missions and serving others! In 1 Peter 4:10 it says “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” You can use your gifts to begin to build the relationships that matter in your journey on a missional life.

Relationships matter. People matter. I firmly believe that mission work is done in the relationships that we take the time to build.

Use the relationship with your children to teach them to build relationships with the people they are serving. Take them on a mission trip. Take them to serve dinner to the homeless. You will never regret teaching your children to serve others. You will see amazing things grow out of those relationships and experiences.

Day 48: Timing However, it’s now hard to imagine what 2020 would’ve been like without both the TV station and our live streaming platforms.

Read Psalm 27:14, Esther 4:14 Both were used greatly by God throughout the pandemic. And, neither one of them Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. could have existed if God had not equipped Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. us during our time of waiting.

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance When I think about living out God’s mission and relief for the Jews will arise from some other in my life, there have been times where I place, but you and your relatives will die. Who didn’t feel like I was able to serve God as knows if perhaps you were made queen for just fully as I knew I could, and I wondered if I such a time as this? should leave ministry work. Looking back, At the start of the pandemic I was working I realize that in that moment I was just more hours than I ever had, making sure being impatient. I knew that I was where we were getting content online and on our God had called me, but I wanted Him to TV station. We had Sunday School teachers work on my timetable. and pastors from other local churches visit In the end, I continued to wait – not always our studio regularly to record lessons. I patiently – and when the pandemic hit I was doing zoom video interviews with our suddenly found myself with a full schedule, supported missionaries and connecting with and getting calls from other churches asking our congregation through social media. I for advice on how to livestream their worship was blessed to be able to bring to bear all services. It was funny that I found myself the preparation and provision God had getting impatient with this new fast pace, done in my life and in Frazer’s media at which point someone pointed out that ministry. I felt like God had given Frazer this was precisely the moment I had been what it needed to continue to do ministry waiting for! I quickly found myself overjoyed “For such a time as this.” that I’d moved from a season of waiting on God’s mission to being caught up in A few years ago, a handful of big expenses something for which God had prepared came up to keep WFRZ, our local Frazer me for years. television station, going. The short story is that, while we were able to eventually get Chances are, you are in one of these two these expenses paid, there was a period seasons: Waiting on God, or busy with His of time where it was uncertain that Frazer mission. If you are waiting, are you waiting would continue to have a TV station. We patiently on God, praying and hoping for had invested more in our live-streaming a time to be used by Him? If you are in platform that allowed us to expand online the “such a time as this” season, are you video streaming, starting with Facebook and allowing Him to use the preparation and YouTube, and then adding Roku, Apple TV, provision that He has given to you? His and Amazon Fire TV. Did we still need a timing is perfect, when we learn to lean traditional broadcast television station? back and trust in Him. Will Adams, Minister of Media Frazer Staff

Day 49: Slow Tyler Grant, Student Minister Frazer Staff Read James 1:19-25 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

I can’t stand grocery shopping. That’s why I am so beyond thankful for technology and the beauty of free grocery pickup services.

Pull up to the curb, click a button and boom; your groceries are in bags and en route to your car. But, there is the rare occasion where we need something for dinner that night that we forgot in our pickup order.

A couple of months ago I had to make the treacherous trek to the grocery store to grab a few things that we had forgotten. After I got my items I bypassed the self-checkout and went to a normal checkout. You know, the one with actual human beings.

I could tell the lady had been having a rough day. So I simply asked her how she was doing and gave her a smile while doing it. She almost broke down in tears on me. I’ll never forget her saying, “that’s the nicest anyone has been to me all day.”

It was 5:30 p.m. Hundreds of people had passed her by; some had yelled at her, some had degraded her ability, some just didn’t even recognize her existence.

How are we ever going to live life on mission if we don’t recognize and love people that we pass in our day-to-day lives?

I can only imagine that Jesus had a slow pace about him. He was slow to speak.

Quick to listen. Slow to become angry. And when he chose to speak, he chose to ask questions to show he valued the person he was talking to. He recognized the people he interacted with.

What would it look like if we began to live our life this way? Life on mission isn’t as unattainable as we seem to believe it is. Life on mission simply requires radical obedience to God’s word through action and a change of pace.

As a church, let’s decide to live on mission by valuing the people we see daily. Let’s slow down and be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger—because radically listening shows radical love that can truly change the world.

Day 50: Let Your Light Shine Cami Culpepper, Children’s Minister Frazer Staff Read Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

way from California to see me face to face and tell me thank you for the impact I had on her life. What a joy to know that the ‘Jesus in her could see the Jesus in me’ and that we are forever sisters in Christ!

My Mission assignment changed slightly over seven years ago when I moved from ministry in the classroom to ministry in the From the first day I stepped into the Church. I am still letting my light shine classroom as a teacher, this was the prayer on as I point others to Him, but in a different my lips as I unlocked the door and walked setting. How wonderful to shine in a place in – “Lord, let my light shine for You so where people come into the Lord’s House that others may see you through my life.” to be with Him. Yet now I ask myself, how My purpose in the classroom was to teach well does my light shine outside of the walls children to love music and be able to sing of this Church? and play instruments, but my mission was to point them to Jesus. In a public school I always try to make it my mission to show classroom, you can’t be as vocal about your the love of Jesus when I am at Walmart, faith as you can in a private school, so I Publix, or a restaurant. Do you? Are you had to let my light shine by my actions and in such a hurry to get in and get out that fruit—especially the fruit of patience and you don’t take time to be His light? long-suffering!

What about in your own home? The greatest I recently reconnected with one of those mission we as parents can have is to point students from over 18 years ago and was our children to Christ. I am so thankful thrilled to know of the impact I made on her. for a mother who modeled that for me, not She found the Lord and came to faith in by her words, but by her actions. I knew Jesus while in college, and she remembered that I could always see her sitting with the that there was something different about Father every morning with His Word in her her music teacher from Elementary School. lap. That became a part of my mornings She left Alabama and had lived in Korea, as I grew up and became a mother myself.

China, Russia and was now back in the United States. She reached out to me to May Frazer shine with the light of Jesus, tell me that she had found Jesus and she starting right in our homes, and then into realized one of the reasons why she loved our schools, neighborhoods and into the her music teacher was because of Jesus River Region. shining through her! She traveled all the

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere— in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8 NLT