EDITOR’S LETTER
Column by Carol Pipes
Live sent
The act of God sending His people is a common thread that runs through the grand narrative of Scripture. Story after story remind us of God’s sending nature.
God sent Abraham out of Ur. He sent Joseph to Egypt ahead of his family to deliver them from famine and establish a remnant there (Genesis 45:7). God sent Moses to deliver the Israelites out of bondage. He even instructed Moses to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.” God sent Samuel to anoint David as king. And, of course, God sent his only son, Jesus, to liberate and redeem a world bound by sin and death.
Jesus often spoke of being sent by His Father. And He continued the sending pattern. In John 20:21, Jesus says to His disciples, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
God sends us, the Church, into the world with a distinct message of love, redemption and abundant life. Paul describes us as living letters. Not written with ink on paper or chiseled into stone, but written by Christ with the Holy Spirit. We are sent to be God’s witnesses—both locally and globally.
The gospel is God’s power to save all who believe. But how will people believe if they never hear? And how will they hear if someone doesn’t go tell them? That’s where we come in. We are commanded by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to join God in His mission to spread the gospel to all people.
In this issue of On Mission, you’ll read about “Send North America,” the North American Mission Board’s new strategy for sending churches and individuals throughout North America to engage people with the gospel and to plant new churches.
As you read this issue, ask God to reveal how and where He wants to use you. Opportunities exist for every individual or church—big or small. Each mission will be different and uniquely tailored based on individual strengths and gifts. When you’re ready to get started on this journey, visit
namb.net and click on the “mobilize me” button.
Begin with this simple prayer: Lord, how do you want to use me and my church to impact North America?
One of my favorite quotes is by Saint Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” God means for us to live sent. And that requires action on our part. The time has never been more urgent to engage people with the gospel. Let the love of God that dwells within compel you to step out on mission with Him.
Carol Pipes, editor
cpipes@namb.net
Get updated on Twitter!
Follow us @onmissionmag, and follow me @carolpipes
4 Summer 2011 •
onmission.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52