ACTS 1:11
"THIS SAME JESUS,
WHO WAS TAKEN UP
FROM YOU INTO HEAVEN,
WILL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER
AS YOU SAW HIM GO INTO HEAVEN.”
General Overseer's September Encouragement
Greetings in the Mighty Name of our God!
As I begin this letter, I do so in light of a word that resounded and came to the forefront at all of our recent Whiteboard discussions and which resonated with each one of our Executive Board members - “Intentional.” If we are truly going to move forward with planting new churches and revitalizing our existing churches, we have got to be intentional. In other words, everything that we do moving forward must be done with the willful purpose of achieving an expected outcome. This ideology of the world which states that “All things come to those who wait” is a lie. Furthermore, there is no greater place or opportunity where this truth can be applied than that of raising-up sons and daughters for ministry.
Again, this truth is found all throughout scripture. Remember David; even though he’s on the backside of a mountain tending sheep, God sends Samuel to find him. Same thing is true with Elijah and Elisha. Elisha didn’t come to Elijah seeking ministry, it was Elijah who came and found him. But the greatest example of this principle being displayed is found with Jesus. From the onset of his ministry, Jesus begins choosing, developing, and releasing 12 men into ministry. Were they perfect when he found them? Not at all. Were they perfect when he left them? Again, the answer is a resounding “no.” But at no time do you find these things preventing him from fulfilling his God-given calling. In fact, this is probably the most intentional thing that you find Jesus doing all throughout his life here on earth. It’s also what we need to do and emulate if we intend to fulfill our calling.
As always, may God bless each of you richly as you labor in his vineyard!
In His Service,
Bro. Rick George
IFCA General Overseer