Reach Week 2022 is here!
Dear Calvary Family,
I get so pumped up on the stories of missionaries as they serve God in different places all over the world. They are not perfect and they are not saints, but they have experienced a dependence on God that is unique from anything most of us will ever experience in our lives.
They rely on raising funds through churches and friends to support what they do. They learn how to adapt to and have influence in a new culture. They display Jesus in their lives and boldly engage in conversations about Jesus with people who are far from God. They are often far away from their friends and extended family. Some are living in hostile or challenging places. But still, like you, they have to have the courage and faith to reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus.
Dependence is a value we are praying to grow in as a church and as individual members in this community.
Dependence is hard when we can provide for ourselves.
Dependence is hard when we live in safety and security.
Dependence is hard when we are comfortable.
Dependence is hard when we aren’t challenged to take risks for the gospel.
So my hope and prayer for you is that this Reach Week 2022 will be a great way for you to be inspired to take steps in your life that lead you toward dependence. The theme is SENT based on Isaiah 6:8 where God asks who He should send as His messenger and Isaiah responds, “Here I am. Send me.”
“Here I am. Send me” is a statement of dependence and submission. It says “Yes Lord” even without knowing all the details or the cost. It says “I’m in” even when we are afraid to be stretched out of our comfort zone.
Missionaries are just like us. They must be completely dependent on God or all the striving is pointless and ineffective.
So let your prayer become, “Here I am, Lord, send me.” You might need to start with some other prayers like, “I believe, help my unbelief.” Or, “Lord, I need you.” Or, “Please speak to me Lord, I’m listening.”
But then let your prayer become, “Here I am, Lord, send me.” And you are now walking down the road to dependence.
There are a bunch of wonderful opportunities to be inspired and learn this Reach Week. Find out more about all the great events happening March 26 - April 3 at CalvaryLife.org/ReachWeek
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Eric