I awoke in the middle of the night. It was one of those times when, try as I might, sleep was not going to return. It was one of those times when I sensed that God wanted to speak into my life.
The burning question with which I had been wrestling? “Why plant new churches?” Since I had moved into my new role as President of Stadia I had been asked numerous times, “Why do we need more churches?”
What compels church planters to move away from family, friends, security . . . to begin a new church in a new community? What motivates investors to give thousands upon thousands of dollars to begin new works in God’s Kingdom? What drives followers of Jesus into the cities of America to share the Good News? What calls us to Ecuador to work with children at risk, work with indigenous church planters, to bring hope where there is none?
These are the questions that brought me wide awake at 3 A.M. And so I prayed. And I asked the questions of God. And I listened.
The answer was a simple reply: “I’ll give you 7 billion reasons.”
7 billion people that inhabit this glorious planet. 7 billion people that God loves with all of His heart. 7 billion people that need the hope that only Jesus can bring. 7 billion people that have been entrusted to you and to me.
Why plant new churches? I’ll give you 7 billion reasons.
Thank you. I recently asked myslef, “I wonder how people back ‘in bible times’ (Abraham, David, Jeremiah, John the Baptist) would say about our role in God’s kingdom?” I felt the Lord telling me that our faith walk is different than theirs in two major ways: 1. the Holy Spirit (we have it and they did not, at least in the same indwelling manner); 2. Our call to spread the gospel (they pretty much tried to survive and obey God). We are definately not “bible story leftovers” by any means. Our task is big and exciting. Ancient believers would see us the “Holy Spirit” people…and the people charged with spreading (not just following) God’s revelation.
7 billion reasons for sure.
May the Lord keep your heart light and full as you take on this new role.
Pastor Adam Barton,
Akron, Ohio
Dear God,
7 billion and counting. The who, what, where, when, how and why of writing apply to living, too. God let me see that you will answer all of these questions for me and bring someone into my life each day so I can share the Good News about you. That answers the why and I trust as I seek to do your will, I’ll have all the rest of the answers, too. Who do you want me to touch today? One day at a time one person at a time, let me be the person that points to you Jesus and helps shine your light into the darkest situations and brings your hope to the hopeless. Help me to see just the one you have appointed for me today. Open my eyes and my heart so I may do your will. I pray all this in Jesus’ name.