Gossiping About Jesus

When Jesus walked the earth, He was the talk of the town!  Some people loved Him, some hated Him, but EVERYONE knew of Him and His message! He was the topic of conversation at dinner tables, religious centers, and town squares.

Jesus is NOT the talk of the town in most places on earth today. We keep Him and His message confined to buildings and programs. To experience Jesus, we require people to enter into a foreign structure, to take on foreign customs, and sing foreign songs. What feels so right to us, is completely foreign to those outside of our cultural Christianity.

Must a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, or Jew become “Christian,” to know the love and forgiveness of Jesus?  Must they first convert to our culture before they can know the joy of having their sins forgiven through Jesus? 

This dilemma is nothing new! The book of Acts records how Paul, James, and the early church fathers wrestled with this! These questions are not easy ones, because they pull at us at the very core of our personal Christian experience.

Global Gates missionaries minister, to once again make Jesus the talk of the town! We envision Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jewish households gossiping about Jesus, and the change that is happening among their family members, neighbors, and communities- a change that is not hidden away from the majority of the people. Join us in praying that Jesus will become the talk of the town in our communities!

Brad Wall

Assistant Director,

Global Gates Network

Living for the Success of Others

The nature of our work as Global Gates missionaries provides a constant check on our own pride. That is because success for us is not how much of a following we can gather around us, but on how much we are discipling, enabling, and equipping others effectively enough for those people to repeat the process with others. In other words, if the mission work is depending too much on us, then we need to make sure our pride is not preventing us from enabling others and entrusting work to them.

Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (ESV).”

Our job is to equip, which ultimately means that “our success” is determined by how much we are obeying Christ in equipping others to “be successful.” To be honest, I find the greatest satisfaction when I get to be on the front lines and the main person involved in the mission work we do. My hope, prayer, and goal is that my greatest satisfaction comes when I have helped others be successful in being the main people in the work the Lord has given us. May the Lord help us all to live for the success for others. 

Chris Clayman, Director, Global Gates Network

Two Perspectives Classes in NYC this Fall

There are two significant Perspectives classes being held in NYC this fall. The class in Woodside, Queens will actually be Perspectivas. That's right! The curriculum will be in Spanish and most instructors will be teaching in Spanish. For the instruction that will be taking place in English, equipment will be used so that people can have simultaneous translation in Spanish. This will be one of the first times a class like this has been held in the U.S. and will be strategic for mobilizing the Hispanic population to reach out cross-culturally and see the vital role they have in God's plan for the nations. Details are still being worked out on instructors for the class, but you can view registration information by visiting the class page.

Another significant Perspectives class will be hosted by Bethel Gospel Assembly in Harlem. They hosted last year but have taken a much more active role in the coordination of the class this year which has brought much excitement and momentum for the class. This will be an English-speaking/reading class. They have a great, diverse lineup of instructors for the class and you can register at their class page here.

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement is a catalytic course designed to equip the people of God to partner with Him in His mission to reach all peoples, tongues, tribes, and nations.  It presents the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic aspects of fulfilling the Great Commission.

 

We encourage anyone who is serious about gaining a deeper understanding of God’s ultimate purpose in the world to attend this course. It is a discipleship experience which will help you discover your divine destiny as a disciple-maker. There will be a course held in Queens as well as in Harlem. For information about the course in Queens and to register visit the Perspectives site here. For information about the course in Harlem visit the Perspectives site here.