| Back to where I belong... |
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So Krista and I went away t o Florida last week as we took part in the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI) meetings. I am the state rep for New Hampshire, and a national officer representing the interests of various pastors around the state who are also part of this international fellowship of pastors. The first three days down in Jacksonville, I had the privilege of hearing one of the founders of the BBFI, Dr . John Rawlings. Dr. John spent three days telling us state reps about the condition of our fellowship (our group) of pastors in the United States. We live in a tough time, and certainly it is only right to deal with the truth of any organization. The truth is that the BBFI has been in a state of decline for a few decades, but it doesn't have to be. And I believe that what Dr John was telling us is that we have the opportunity to move forward again, as he showcased where the BBFI and the Rawlings Foundation are making great strides all over the world, in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Here is a 94 year old man who is still ON FIRE for the Lord (not in a retirement village somewhere), who flew 80 people to Jacksonville, housed and fed them (about $100,000 in cost) to tell them that they need to keep going...! WOW! I was in the presence of a spiritual giant, a man with a fiery passion for the Lord and a passion for the world and a passion for other believers - and it hit me like a Mack truck! The BBFI has been in decline, but I think those days are behind. With 5 national schools and several more international schools to train new generations of leaders; with a missions office and clearinghouse that services almost 900 missionaries; with around 3000 pastors that affiliate in part or in full with the BBFI, there is a chance to make a global impact along the same lines as the apostles made! And I have NEVER before been as excited about this prospect as I am at this moment. To think that The Journey can reach out through this organization to impact our globe...wow!!! Thank you, Lord, for this chance. The BBFI is a fellowship of like-minded pastors in doctrine, but who are different methodically. No two churches look alike, and that allows us to do what we do and yet hold to the beliefs we hold to. Methodology isn't what's most important. Doctrine is, and the living out of that doctrine as we see great things happening all around. This was the first meeting I was at - three days of meetings (Feb. 12-14). The other meeting I attended was the official meeting of national officers for the BBFI on Monday, Feb. 18. I am part of the committe of 45 who (similar to the senate) handle the business affairs of the BBFI as representatives of the interests of their state pastors. It was a good meeting (I was the newbie), and I am part of the church-planting committee (surprise, surprise). In the meeting we ratified a new school president for our Missouri school (Pastor Rod, Elizabeth, and myself are alumni). But all that aside, here's the bottom line for me. I want to live BIG, not small. I believe that living beyond ourselves is a CHOICE - we can CHOOSE higher living, or we can choose living for the moment, for ourselves, whatever. But in the BBFI and through giant men of vision like Dr John Rawlings and others, I see where we at The Journey can impact not just Rochester (although that is our FIRST priority), but we can impact the world and be part of a movement that God is so incredibly proud of. Through this movement, men, women, boys and girls are invited to give their lives to Jesus Christ, and then are discipled and trained to go and tell others about Jesus Christ, and it continues from generation to generation...and the world is turned upside down. So that's where Krista and I were last week - in Florida (a nice temperature change), but in the presence of greatness and opportunity, passion and vision...and now I am back to where I belong.
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