Day 1 - Mission to Minister To The Persecuted Church

Schedule: Travel from Chicago to Chennai, India (with a stop in Abu Dhabi)

Time: Depart Oct 14th at 1:10 PM CDT arrive Oct 15th 10:40 AM CDT which is 9:10 PM India time.

Today is the first day of our missionary journey to India and Egypt. Caleb and I have spent many weeks of praying, planning and preparing. Thanks to each of you who have prayed and given to make this trip possible. How does one decide to go on a trip like this? How do you decide to do anything for the Lord? How do you decide if you should start a small group? Or volunteer for a support position at church or in another ministry? How do you decide if you should take a leadership role at church or perhaps start a ministry? How do you decide to support a ministry with your prayers or finances? If you would have told me five years ago that I was going to be teaching 500 plus pastors in India and Egypt our Stand Firm Seminar I would have smiled and thought, “That sounds great!” I don’t know that I would have had the faith to do this at that time. Which is perhaps why the Lord didn’t lead me to do it then! To answer this let’s look to some biblical principles to guide us here. The very first official missionary journey in the book of Acts was by Paul and Barnabas. In Acts 13:1-3 we read of how it was that they went out on their first missionary journey.

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Principles For Discerning A New Ministry Task

1. The Holy Spirit wanted Paul and Barnabas to go.
2. The Holy Spirit communicated this to the leaders.
3. The leaders fasted and prayed to confirm they understood what the Spirit was saying.
4. Paul and Barnabas left with the blessing and supporting prayers of the church.

There is a lot that isn’t said here. Just how did the Holy Spirit tell them to have Paul and Barnabas go? The fact that it doesn’t tell us “how” tells us that the “how” isn’t important. What is important is they heard Him. Also they were able to confirm that they got it right. Many times we get wild ideas and think they’re from God! If godly, mature leaders don’t confirm your wild-eyed plans, maybe you should reconsider them. One of the ways the Spirit confirms His direction is by others blessing you and supporting you. Finally, they went. We’re blessed to see what happens on their journey. It was fruitful but not without difficulty. Two years ago a Pastor and his wife in India heard my teaching and said that they felt the Lord wanted me to teach this all over India. Was that the Spirit speaking through him? I was open to it. We have prayed and fasted and the Lord opened doors last year and again this year. While planning this second trip to India we received an invitation to teach in Egypt. So we are going. God has something for all of us to do. What is the Spirit saying to you? What is the tug of your heart? Listen to it. Pray and fast and confirm it with others. Then move forward on it! Please pray for us right now as you read this for

• safety in travel
• good health
• open hearts for those who will sit under our ministry
• protection from the evil one

We will have limited access to the internet during our travels. It is my hope to post something every day so you will know how to pray for us. Please leave me a note below. I’d love to hear from you.