Hear Their Stories...Part 3

Oh, the power of a story. I have heard some incredible stories this week. First, let me say I am very grateful for the men and women who participated in our GIC missions week. Each and every one of them inspired and challenged me. Saturday night's banquet was so cool because we were able to hear from each missionary and a short story of God's work in their ministry area.

Yesterday morning during all of our worship services we were challenged to be a "willing witness." It was unbelievable to see literally hundreds respond to the challenge and come forward during the commitment time. God really moved in an incredible way.

Also Sunday in my Bible study class, we were able to hear from Melissa, one of our GIC missionaries. Her courage to share Christ in a difficult environment was an awesome challenge to me personally.

I'll say it one more time...it was awesome to hear all their stories!

Hear Their Stories...Part 2

Hearing missionaries tell their story is both inspiring and convicting.

Last night Macy and I had dinner with one of the missionaries participating in our GIC. She serves somewhere in the Middle East (she can't tell us exactly which country). Her ministry is to the Kurds in that country. By law she must live in the Capital city. But the Kurds she is trying to reach with the gospel live outside the city, up in the mountains. So, once or twice a week, trying to avoid suspicion, she travels to where they live. Imagine, having to live in one place, in order to reach a group of people who live somewhere else.

She also told me a story about a small Bible study group she had found among the Kurds. After earning their trust over a period of several months, they allowed her to be a part of the group. This was really awesome to discover this small group and to now be a part of it. She went on to tell me she left the country for a month for a conference and when she came back, the people in that group were gone. Completely disappeared. No trace of them. Her heart was broken. She has a passion for the Kurds and to see this small group who had discovered Jesus and who now were probably in prison, or worse, broke her heart.

Tonight our staff team has the privilege of having dinner with all of the missionaries. I'm sure I'll hear more of their inspiring and convicting stories!