Evangelism!

Woah it's already been 5 weeks! Time flies when you are having fun! It's hard to believe that we will be in Thailand in under a month, but it's the truth. Thanks to all of you reading this for supporting us and praying for us - we definitely can't do this without you!

This week of training, we focused a lot on evangelism. Now, I know for some of us (me included) that word can be crazy scary! Like, is it just attacking people on the street and yelling at them about Jesus? I had always wondered if evangelism could be accomplished without being offensive. Well, I've learned two things. One, evangelism is so many things - it is building relationships with people, telling them about Jesus, living life with them, and being who Jesus wanted us to be in the world; salt and light. It can be accomplished in many ways - through relationships, discipleship, proclaiming the gospel, social justice, and so much more.  Two, unfortunately the gospel is offensive! We are telling people, basically, that it isn't all about them! WHAT? It's not all about me? Truth. With Jesus as our Lord, our lives are lived for His glory, not our own. That means being humble, and not seeking to build our kingdom, but HIS. Evangelism is telling people in a dying world that they need Jesus; that there is a remedy for their sickness, a purpose for their existence, and a God who at the same time is the creator of the universe, and close enough to touch. It isn't telling people how bad they are compared to you, because we are all the same; It's like one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. If we look at it in those terms... we realize that there is a time limit on our evangelism. People are dying every day without Jesus - some without ever hearing His name. Can we sit by and accumulate wealth on earth, while we are going bankrupt spiritually? It's a lot to think about! It has made me re-think what evangelism means to me. I've also been just realizing more and more how much we need the Holy Spirit in us. We can't do anything apart from it! We are the hands and feet, but the Spirit is the one who saves people. 

Here is a short video from this week. (here's the link, if the video doesn't work)

http://vimeo.com/108612845

Also this week, we got the privilege of delivering sermons that we had prepared, under the ever-wise eye of Elton DeSilva, the MB conference pastor. It was a great growing experience for all of us! I spoke on the relationship between Faith and Works found in James 2, and Adrienne spoke on 1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5, about the need for us to be weak for God's strength to work in us. 

Adrienne rocking her sermon!

God bless you all, and Happy Thanksgiving!

- Jeremy