Missions Conference - Day 3

Is it Tuesday already? Night 3 of the AFLBS Mission conference is underway. The opening speaker comes to us tonight from Wycliffe Bible Translators, brother Arvid Westfall.

Starting out he announces a conference coming up right here in Minneapolis (Feb 20-21), which he us to pass the word about. The Midwest Conference on Missionary Care, training for helping churches and laymen understand how to be the best caretakers of their foreign missionaries.

(This perked my interest immediately, since I'm very, very interested in this aspect of missions. How can we best be an Aaron or a Hur to the missionaries in the field? Just maybe I'll be able to attend it.)

Brother Arvid and his wife were Bible translators in Guatemala, and are now living in the states serving as both church mobilizers and translators.

Here's his opening statement: "I'm excited about this generation! Why? Because it is logically possible, by the empowering of God's Spirit, that you can reach the world in your generation."

He tells a story written by Amy Carmichael, Daisy Chains. If you haven't heard or read it before, skip over to the above link for a moment. How does Jesus find us?

This brother shares statistics about translation; the fact that there are still 2,500-3,000 languages without a page of Scripture. Can you imagine not having the blessed privilege of opening a Bible in your moments of deepest pain, grief, uncertainty, frustration? This statistic makes the Word dearer to me, and compels me to act - someway, somehow.

You know what I gleaned most about his 30 minute message tonight? It wasn't the stories, or quotes. It was just his life. He is 70 years old and still going full speed for advancing the Gospel among the nations of the world. He's still doing a translation project and prays to see the Old Testament completed among his people group in about 6 years.

God, give me a life-long passion for your mission, just like this witness before me! Hebrews 12:1-2

But the night is just beginning. We have a prayer time again and then join in singing, "Christ for the World We Sing."

And what a treat, we have a quartet singing tonight. Everyone is smiling as Pastors Lee, Monseth, Rolf, and Mr. Andrew Hanson sing "Come and Join the Reapers". They receive enthusiastic applause! Where is my camera? I keep forgetting it. I won't forget for Thursday evening.

Oh, and I just discovered that some wonderful, technically gifted people are recording the sessions this week and they are DOWNLOADABLE! Yes, that means you can listen what I'm trying to feebly describe in this blog. Please avail yourself of the opportunity.

Pastor Giles gets up. "Why does God choose to use us? Why does God choose to use prayer? Is He capable of spreading the Word without men and women? Yes! But for some reason, known only to Him, He has chosen to use you and me. "

He shares lessons for a new missionary from the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 10 and Luke 10 tonight. Excellent material. This is the chapter where Jesus commissions the 70 disciples to go out 2 by 2 for a season of ministry training exercises. Here's some things we learn.
- Jesus sent the disciples to a target people group. It is not that other people are to be ignored, but He understood that specific aim, bring specific results. (vs 5)
- Go in total dependence on My provision. (vs 9)
- Bring a blessing with you wherever you go (don't be just takers)(vs.12-13)
- Focus on ministry to people who are hungry to hear (Vs 14)
- Don't get side-tracked (Luke 10:4)
- Any there are many more lessons in these verses!! Study this for yourself if you want to see more of our Lord's advice for new missionaries.

Pastor Dan explains universalism. Most Americans fall into this category, believing that you are destined for heaven when you are born and basically "earn" your way to hell by being thoroughly wicked. This is completely opposite what the Bible teaches.

There are estimated 6 billion people on earth. About 20% live a place with a strong Christian witness. About 60% in a place with at least a very minimal witness. But 20% live WITHOUT any Gospel witness. How can I even wrap my mind around those numbers? Every second a soul goes to hell without Jesus.

He challenges all us young adults, "Don't be afraid of raising your children on the mission field."

Three biggest decisions in life:
What will you do with Jesus?
Who will you marry?
What is God's call for my life?

Are you hearing His call?

We closed by singing, Here am I Lord. The altar was opened for a time of prayer.



There is no meeting tomorrow night, so everyone can attend their local church. I'll be back blogging Thursday night.

Will you pray for all the students at this conference this week? Will you pray that even among the young men and women in the pews tonight, God will raise up laborers for His Harvest?