In our Family Worship service we had a missionary visiting from the States. His name is Joshua Williams. He and his family currently live in the States and work in South America. Here's the catch, he doesn't leave his home to do his work. Williams family served in South America for 3 years and returned, I believe, last year. Joshua is trained as a pastor but has always had a love for things electronic. He has placed with computers since he was a boy. He shared with us that he felt a call to missions. He was a children's pastor in a church and went into missions expecting to use those particular skills, but when he was in seminary his computer skills were used to help the school with their technical issues. So now, God has opened a door and used his passions to become the resident Computer expert for the South America region. Meanwhile his residence is several thousand miles north of them. I was amazed when I heard all this.
He had a great message to us, about the ability to use our gifts and skills to share the Gospel. Because someone told the Gospel to the Paraguayan Soccer Team, several gave their lives to Christ. And so now they can use their soccer skills to share the Gospel. God is using Joshua's computer skills to share the Gospel. I got to admit, sometimes I think to linear. I think about the Gospel and discipleship in very specific terms, and yet God can use anything we own, anything we are good at, and any environment we find ourselves in, to build His Kingdom. The idea of being a missionary wherever you are is not new to me, but this definitely expands my definition of being a missionary. I realize once again, how limiting I can be in regards to my understanding of God's work.
It was also exciting to hear what was taking place in South America, and Argentina specifically. God is at work in our world. Don't give up on God's Kingdom!
As an aside, Joshua is a great communicator, also good with kids. He would be great for any Missions service if you're planning one.
Happy Monday!
great post mark!
ReplyDeletevery encouraging to a guy like myself, once again jobless and trying to figure out how matt 25:14-30 is applicable to my life at the moment.
im also curious... how this experience has expanded your view of the gospel.
Tim,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you! I think the message of the Gospel hasn't changed, but the format we can communicate the Gospel is always changing. I guess it's something we can do along the way, wether it's at work, at home, or at the coffee shop. The reminder for me was if we think we are working for the Lord, our attitude should change and we can see God using our computer skills or sales skills, or whatever it is for the benefit of the Kingdom of God.
well said Pastor M
ReplyDeletei wanna add to your comment mark by saying... or your skills as a writer lol! i've taken to writing since graduating college. i have a few avenues in which i "dip my quill" lol
ReplyDeleteI want to add to your comment mark by saying... or your skills as a writer lol! I’ve taken to writing since graduating college. I have a few avenues in which I "dip my quill" lol
Good to hear from you too Mark! When and why did you start a blog? Not that I’m complaining. I’m quite excited to read your thoughts as they come. I have one as well. There’s quite a bit of stuff there, considering when I started it. Don’t be afraid to stop by it my friend!