Missions Conference - Day 4

Pastor Paul Nash opens up our evening tonight telling the story of William Borden. As heir to the multi-million dollar Borden Dairy company, he shocked the world by leaving fame and fortune behind that he might share Jesus with Muslims in China. During his years of ministry preparation at Yale and Princeton, his zeal for the lost and his fervent prayer ministry transformed both college campuses. Just months after his ordination in 1912 and well-publicized departure to China, 26 year old Borden contracted spinal meningitis and died. At the back of his Bible was written this statement: “No retreats, no reserves, no regrets.”

Just months after his ordination in 1912 and well-publicized departure to China, Borden (who was only 26) contracted spinal meningitis and died! At the back of his Bible was written this statement: “No retreats, no reserves, no regrets.”

Though seen as "a waste" in the world's terms, both his life and his death leave us a challenge. We are challenged to hand over all those temporal toys and amusements that hinder total consecration. His role model shows the beautiful, eternal fruit of dying to self that I might live unto Christ.


Pastor Nash is director of the Home Missions work in the AFLC (the department I am blessed to now be working in) and shares about the new mission work in Naknek, Alaska and the KAKN radio station broadcasting from there. This is a new work for the AFLC (since summer 2008) and such amazing doors of ministry opportunity are opening up there.

Pastor/Missionary Dan Giles gave a final message tonight on surrender. "When we surrender, God unlocks hidden gifts." We can't list our inabilities as excuses for not surrendering. Pastor Dan tells about how he responded to God's call for missions, and afterward found out God had given him a real knack for linguistics. He would have never imagined God using him in linguistics, never in a million years. But those who God calls, he qualifies.

Are my priorities, God's priorities? The question is not "if" I should have a call to reach the lost, but where and how. Everyone is called to be a worker in the harvest field.

"To whom much is given, much is required."

Here are 3 ways to reach the lost. We've probably heard them before; they aren't rocket science. They are, however, just plain inescapable and vital. There is nothing more important.

1) Pray--I mean really pray for missions. For workers, for souls, for seminarians, for church leadership, for peace and effective government so the Gospel can spread freely and without threat. Put up prayer cards. Don't just talk about praying, really pray.

2) Give and Send--Provide for the practical needs of missionaries. Be an active "sender," not just in sending money, but in the ongoing care for your missionaries. Pray for creativity (I like this idea)--that God will show new ways to give. He tells about one seminarian he knew, on a very limited budget, who collected coke cans to recycle so he could send money to missionaries.

3) Go--not just for fun or adventure. Realize that missions is treading on the devil's territory and it will bring spiritual battle.

Instead of ending with a hymn tonight, Pastor Lee dismissed us quietly. Those who felt God speaking are encouraged to stay and pray. Many start filing out, quietly whispering in the reverence of the moment. But many are staying. Many are on their knees. Lord, speak to us!

It's been fun blogging the mission conference this week...alot of extra work, but I'm glad I did it. It gave me lots of extra time to think over the messages and their application. If you just found my blog this week because of the conference, I hope you will stay tuned!

Mixed Ensemble

“No retreats, no reserves, no regrets.”