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Branching Out Doing What Disciples Do By Robin Crowley As followers of Jesus Christ, we share the responsibility of taking the truth of the gospel to all nations and peoples. Fortunately for twenty-first century Christians, going to the ends of the earth has never been easier. These are exciting times for believers! God is pouring out His spirit in amazing ways. The Kingdom is truly at hand. Even as I write these words, I am reminded of the disciples in the upper room, wondering about the gift Jesus had promised would come from the Father. They asked if the Kingdom would be restored to Israel, but Jesus left them with one simple command: “wait.” Can you imagine the anxiety in that room? Jesus told the disciples some of the things that would happen after the Holy Spirit was given to them saying, “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (emphasis mine).” This must have been a frightening thought. After all, followers of Jesus were predisposed to public scorn and violent hatred. I would have been content to stay in that room a little longer (like a couple thousand years!!). John 15:5-8 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.Today, while there are still places in the world that have a similar violent reaction to the name of Jesus, there are many more people who are open, and in fact, desperate for the truth. The need for discipleship is still very real. When Jesus said in John 15:8, “This is my Father’s glory, that you should bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples,” the question that emerges in the minds of believers is “am I bearing fruit, and is it glorifying God?” While it may not be feasible for everyone to travel to a foreign country, and for novices like me, it can be downright intimidating; nevertheless, we can be fruitful in other ways, such as praying for missionaries and their host countries and/or financing mission trips. Even short-term mission trips can be spiritually, physically and financially challenging. The prayers and financial support of the church body are critically important. God favors the obedient as well as the bold!
Farmers and Shepherds Pastor David Fitzpatrick - Gainesville (left), Ray Hollenbach - Campbellsville (center) and Jerry Bryant—Nashville (right). A partnership is an association of two or more autonomous Vineyard Churches who have formed a trusting relationship and fulfill agreed upon expectations by sharing complementary strengths and resources to reach their mutual goal of planting churches. At Vineyard, Nashville, we are blessed to be in partnership with two other great VCF churches and their pastors, David Fitzpatrick (Gainesville, GA) and Ray Hollenbach (Campbellsville, KY). Since we formed our partnership in the summer of 2000, we have made short-term mission trips to Peru to plant, equip and walk alongside five newly-formed Vineyard churches in and around Lima. More than 40 courageous saints from the collective congregations have made the trips with us, some battling physical and spiritual attacks along the way. Despite the language barrier, bad water, lack of toilet facilities and general chaos of being an alien in a foreign country, we feel a special kinship with the people of Peru. Their unadulterated hunger for more of God makes it all worthwhile.
Pastors Jerry and Cindy Bryant We just planted our garden this Spring, and what a joy it is to see things grow...it amazes us. Equally amazing is the growth we see in our partnership of churches in Peru; from the first seedling—a prayer walk through the streets of Lima, to our first church adoption in Santa Anita, where we are returning to celebrate their 3rd birthday in our Vineyard family! Then there are the emerging churches at Pro and Arequipa that are growing and reproducing their own kind. We have been blessed to travel the Amazon at Iquitos, explore the mountains of Macchu Picchu in Cuzco, and walk along the ocean at Trujillo, looking for new cities to gather and include. During our 8 trips there, the kind and generous people of Peru have captured our hearts...they are family! Pray for our team as we minister the love of Jesus on our next journey. For More Information Contact: |
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