A new perspective on how Christians should engage the world

The recent events in Florida and the copycat actions and threats have sparked a rallying cry for change, maintaining of our laws and the constitution, and proclamation that this may have happened because we have kept God out of our schools (as if the omnipresent God we serve can be kept at bay by mortar and stone). But dare I suggest that these actions of evil could have been stopped by choosing to engage with those who are hurt, lost and forgotten rather than choosing to attack and lament? Perhaps if we engaged with and stood for truth, love, and justice then things would be different.

In times of severe pain, doubt, and angst we turn to acting out and defending our actions. We rally, we demand action, we rebuttal and oppose, we decry evil but also attack our fellow man. But what if instead of posting inflammatory propaganda and seeking to justify our own views we decided to make a difference from the beginning by being Jesus to the world as He has called us to be?

The truth of the matter is that churches and church goers have long stood silent as they witnessed atrocities unfold in the world until it directly affected them. Instead what we should be doing is standing as the purveyors of the Gospel to the world and not just our select few. If we decided to proactively engage as Christ has called us to instead of pretending that the world at large does not deserve us because they are removing God from the country, perhaps just perhaps we would see the change we so long for.

Christ himself proclaimed that he did not come for the healthy or perfect but for the sick, destitute, forgotten, and hurting. When we choose to attack and malign we do nothing for those who are hurting, but instead cause more derision and division. Instead we should be seeking to act before, during, and after the evil actions that persist in our world.

In a world and culture that loves division it is so easy for us to fall into that methodology that demands we choose a side, a political party, a decision. I am not suggesting that we exist in the middle, but instead presenting the notion that rather than lament or stand idly by we should be moved to action. 

One only has to examine the evidence and backstory of the student attacker in Florida and others like him to realize that there is extreme brokenness in his and others' stories. There exists pain, brokenness, evil, and hatred in this world, but we as Christ followers are called to be beacons of light to this world and not simply in moments of horrific pain and violence but in all times: good, bad, and indifferent. 

I am not here to make a political statement, to call for stricter laws, nor to rally for a change to how we diagnose mental illness. Instead I am asking, no begging, my brothers and sisters to stand for what God has called us to. To love and care for the forgotten, to minister to the orphan and widows, to be the hands and feet of Christ to a world that is in desperate need of Him. Perhaps if we engaged the world and pointed them to Jesus instead of hunkering in our church bubbles we would see less tragedy. Perhaps if we cared for the ones Christ called us to instead of focusing on our own needs we would see greater victories in the lives of hurting people. Perhaps if we were willing to let go of our own fears and doubts and to see the power of Christ and the cross and share that with the world we would see change happen.

My friends, do not give into derision but instead look to create harmony and care for those who are hurting. May we be the ambassadors of Christ to the world, and through the care and hope we showcase may we forever be the beacon of salvation. Through our engagement may we be the tangible aspect of the Gospel to the world. Through our care, love, and grace in truth, may we be what helps to bring change to this country and the world.

Going to Belize

This Friday Elise and I, along with some other leaders from our church, are taking a team of 28 students and adults to serve in Belize for ten days. While there we will be helping to build a home, lead a VBS program, assist in upkeep at the orphanage we are staying at, and various other projects as they develop. This is my second time going, but for many who are on the team it is their first trip to this South American country.

I am so excited to be a part of this team again because the last time I was there I truly felt God calling us to serve the people of this country. My heart was moved by the generosity of the people living in a third world country, their love for others, and their love for life itself. I was humbled by how blessed I am and I truly saw God work in the lives of our team and the people we served. In the end it was us who were served by the very people we went to serve.

In three days I will be back in that amazing country and I am immensely looking forward to it! God has already done so much for our team. We have been praying hard for this trip and it has been awesome seeing the prayers answered. Here are a few of the answered prayers God has provided for us:

• Our team is fully funded! We met our goal before our deadline and people have been more than generous.
• Our team is unified and excited about what is in-store for us. Tonight is our last team meeting before we head down and everyone is excited for this.
• We are preparing for our VBS program and have all the supplies and teaching teams assembled. 
• The construction team is excited and ready to build a home for a family that deserves it. 
• Our flights and hotels have all been finalized and we are ready to depart this week.
• God has continued to alleviate any fears and hesitations that anyone has.
• Our team need a specific type of bug spray to help prevent against any Zika strain, and we were able to get a great deal through the company. But God further provided as gracious donors provided all the money needed and the team owed nothing out of pocket!

These are but a few of the ways God has answered our prayers, and we believe He will continue to answer more as we go into Belize shortly. I would love to have you pray for us as we head down to serve this week. Here are some requests that we have:

• Pray for continued unity for our team.
• Pray that our team adjusts well to the heat and humidity.
• Pray that we have joy even if there are frustrations.
• Pray that we serve and love well. We have been learning as a team that we aren't going to fix a country or its people but rather to serve and care for them. Pray that we remember that.
• Pray for safe travels and our luggage to arrive on time. 
• Pray that we can be flexible as things change.

This is an amazing opportunity for us to go to Belize and serve God. I am so excited and believe that God can use trips like this to grow our team, and also to help others see the love of Jesus. I cannot wait to see what God does and I hope to update you as soon as I return. I will be posting to our youth's Facebook page throughout the week so feel free to look there for updates. We also have a page on our website that will feature updates, photos, and blogs from the team so feel free to check this out periodically. 

Mission work is near and dear to my heart and I am incredibly privileged to be a part of this team and am hoping that through this trip we can serve God and the people of Belize. This will be a time to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus and I couldn't be more excited!

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And, behold, I am with you always to the end of the age."