They turned The World Upside Down

A 71-day devotional based upon the lives of common people who transformed the world in which they lived. Whether you use this for personal reading, family devotions or small group settings, the stories of those who served in missions will inspire you to live on mission wherever God has placed you!  If you would like to know more you can purchase the book They Turned The World Upside Down.

Send a Missionary from Your Congregation in the Next Year

“The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity.” — Mike Stachura

According to the book Church Still Works by Paul Chappell and Clayton Reed, there are over 13,000 Independent Baptist churches in the United States. Can you imagine what would happen around the world if every church were to send out just one missionary from their congregation? The impact of the gospel would certainly lighten up this dark world. There is no reason to think the task is too big! It is actually well within the grasp of your church. Did you know that the large majority of missionaries come from churches that run around 50 people in attendance? Our missionaries are not always coming from the megachurches, they’re coming from average or small congregations. Here are a few thoughts to encourage you and your church that it is possible to send a missionary from your congregation… and it can even happen within the next year:

Set your focus. 

The focus of the church is expressed by what the pastor preaches, what is emphasized in the Sunday school classes, what is said in the announcements, and what is hung upon the walls of your church. The focus must be getting the gospel to the world. This is crucial to understand if you want to send a missionary from your congregation. Sunday school teachers should be supplied with missions lessons. Missionary biographies should be available in the church. Posters and maps presenting the need should be hung up on the walls. Missionary prayer letters should be read in services and placed on the walls. Missions trips should be planned every year or two. Missionaries should be invited to challenge the church once a month. Missionary illustrations should be used and stats about the need around the world should be heard. Everyone in the church should be involved in praying God would send out someone from your congregation. Make the focus in your church obviously clear that you want to get the gospel to the lost of this world!

Point the youth in the right direction. 

You must not simply entertain the youth but realize they are the future of the church in a few short years. If you want to see the future of the church, take a look at your youth program. If you can strategically fire up the youth with a desire to spread the gospel, that fire will spread through the rest of your church. You must be intentional about what is being taught, the activities that are being used, and those allowed to work with the youth. The devil is a fisherman, and he is fishing out our young people way too fast. The allures of fame, fortune, and fun have overtaken the youth, and you must intentionally plead and pray God’s will becomes the focus in their lives. 

The Lord is returning. 

You do not have to open your eyes very wide to notice the signs pointing towards our Lord’s imminent return. When Christ returns, there will be no more opportunity to send out missionaries, share the gospel, or plead with others to go tell the lost. The buildings will be empty, the accounts will be left, and the darkness around the world will only grow darker. 

Christians must live as if we believe He is returning. We cannot take anything to Heaven except for the souls that we lead to Christ and the work that we do for Him now. We must work for the night is coming. Let us pray to our Savior and plead with the saints to go far and wide sharing the gospel before our Lord returns. 

Here to Serve, 

Jeffrey Bush

21 Questions to Determine Your Commitment to God

by Jeffrey Bush — 9-30-2020

  1. Can you say Father not my will but Thine be done? (Your plans, future, dreams, desires and all)
  2. Can you say you count all as loss to know Him? 
  3. Can you say you submit yourself to His plan for your life?
  4. Can you say you know and believe there is a real and literal hell? 
  5. Can you say you know and believe people are lost?
  6. Can you say you truly know God wants to use you?
  7. Can you say your life belongs wholly to God?
  8. Can you say you know and believe Christ is returning soon?
  9. Can you say you know your life has a purpose and mission set by God?
  10. Can you say you know now is the best time for God to use you?
  11. Can you say your life is worthy of others imitating? 
  12. Can you say you are putting God first or are their other things holding that spot?
  13. Can you say you are sold out and fully committed to whatever God wants? 
  14. Can you say you know it’s your reasonable service to serve God?
  15. Can you say you are growing in your life instead of just maintaining? 
  16. Can you say you love God or are you more cold or lukewarm? 
  17. Can you say your life is a light in this dark world? 
  18. Can you say you realize you are made to be an ambassador Christ? 
  19. Can you say you’re living and acting like a servant for God? 
  20. Can you say you will be the faithful salt, light, and witness for God right now? 
  21. Can you say you are consumed with God?

Questions for Missionary Panel

As used at Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, GA

The following list is packed full of great questions to choose and use during your missions conference or when missionaries are visiting. It is exciting to have a missionary visit your church, but a pre-thought list of questions will maximize everyone’s time. Make your preparations from the list below:

  1. Why do you feel that what you do is so important?
  2. Tell a story of how Jesus worked in a man’s life in your ministry
  3. How do you reach men in your country?
  4. What is life like for the average man in your church?
  5. What are your biggest challenges in your personal, relational, spiritual, and ministerial life?
  6. How has being in full time ministry affected your family relationships and marriage?
  7. How has God been speaking to you lately?
  8. Share something you have learned from the Lord in the past few months
  9. What is something you are asking God for?
  10. Do you feel like your children are blessed or suffering as you serve as a missionary? Please explain
  11. Are there safety issues where you live?
  12. What do you most enjoy in your life as a missionary?
  13. What is the most difficult part of your life and ministry?
  14. If you could talk honestly and openly to your supporters what would you say?
  15. What is going on in your heart and mind as you prepare to go back to your ministry? What excites you and what are you dreading?
  16. What are the biggest adjustments and challenges you have to make living in on your field?
  17. How do people in your country feel about the USA? 
  18. What are some cultural differences or barriers you have had to overcome?
  19. What is the best part about being a missionary?
  20. What does a typical week look like?
  21. What are your goals for the future?
  22. Tell us a funny story about something that has happened to you as a missionary 
  23. What are your hobbies or relaxing activities?
  24. Where is your favorite place to go in your country?
  25. How is church planting and leader training progressing in your country?