Mission 2012
Making Disciples of All Nations
After Christ’s atoning work on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, he commissioned his disciples with familiar words: “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” (Matt 28:19-20). These are the standing orders of every Christian, every church, and at Crossway we take them seriously.
Early in 2012,* we will be sending a mission team in obedience to Christ command. Our team will be going to a country in West Africa* to support our missionaries and work among the Tamashek (Tuareg people). Sending this team is part of our strategic partnership to reach this largely unreached people group (you can read more about this here).
Upcoming 2012 Trip
So, what we will be doing while we’re actually in country? As we prepare for our trip, we have three goals we hope to accomplish:
Encouraging Tuareg Believers. Fellowship with Tuareg believers will be part of how we spend our time there. This will include teaching them what the Bible says about Christian suffering and prayer. It will also include helping them craft worship music in their own musical tradition.
Witnessing to unbelieving Tuareg. Many Tuareg have a nominal faith in another religion. But this religion doesn’t serve them well and they always curious about what the Bible teaches. We will spend time walking through the city, praying for them. We will also be opening up the Bible for them, showing the one, true God.
Encouraging our Missionaries to the Tuareg. Our missionaries recently moved to another part of the country to better serve their people group, but this transition hasn’t been easy. While we are in country, we hope to encourage them with fellowship, prayer, and gifts for their ministry and personal use.
How can you help?
First, you can pray!
This is often an undervalued part of these trips, but in reality it’s a central part of any ministry. This is especially true for mission trips. From start to finish, we desire this trip and team to be bathed in prayer. When the plans and schedule for the trip are finalized, a prayer guide will be available for download. In the mean time, here’s some thing you can pray for:
- resolve to do all things to God’s glory (Eph 3:20-21);
- boldness in sharing the gospel (Eph 6:19-20);
- success in fighting sin (Rom 6:12-14);
- reliance on God’s strength, not ours (Eph 3:16);
- team unity (Rom 15:5);
- ministry that glorifies God (1 Pet 4:10-11).
Given that this trip has been postponed twice for security reasons, we are also asking people to pray in specific ways about this element of the trip. It is not safe to be in the country we’re going. Nevertheless, given the direct kind of disciple-making ministry we will be doing, we like the ministry is worth the risk because Jesus is worth the risk. So, please pray for:
- stability for the country (1 Tim 2:1-6);
- safety in travel and ministry (3 John 2);
- subdued activity of current opposition groups in our area.
Second, you can help by giving.
Each person going is responsible for paying their way on this trip. But the pattern we see in Scripture is Christians financially supporting each other in times of need and ministry (2 Cor 8:1-15; Phil 4:15-16). Therefore, it’s always appropriate to give as you are able. Some of you might not be able to give anything but your time. Then do that, praying for us! Others of you will be able to give something to further the gospel among the Tamashek (even small donations are helpful!).
Now, you can send donations via PayPal from this site. You can also send a check directly to the church. If you want to donate to a specific person on the team, you can add that as a note on the PayPal transaction or simply write the individual’s name on the memo line of your check.
We hope this trip will bring glory to Christ as we seek to help make disciples of all nations!
*Security concerns prevent us from giving specific travel dates and locations. Please call team member for more specific information.
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