MINISTRY / Another seed is planted
Jaiden needs Pastor Paul
In our previous ministry blog, I shared with you a special story about Pastor Paul, our Liaison Pastor. Today, I will explain, by way of a recent interaction, why his role is so vital to our vision and to help us gain traction out in the field. That’s where the seeds are sown (Mt 13:3-9). That’s where the mystery takes place as the Holy Spirit beckons new life in the heart of a believer. I say mystery because the Apostle Paul uses that term (15 times in Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians) and it is deeper and richer, as Scripture often is, than the word “magic.” Mystery suggests that while we may not understand all the mechanisms put into action by God (who gives the growth, 1 Corinthians 3), we know who makes it happen. He created all seeds, including his divine Word, to function in a specific way with a specific outcome, growth cycle, or fruit.
Pastor Paul got in touch with me recently to say, “This morning I had a WebEx (online) meeting with a sister named Jaiden who registered with us at Grace Bible Institute. I learned that she lives in Connecticut and is already a Christian. She found the GBI website while searching online for counseling course information. She's interested in taking courses related to Christian counseling (which is our Course # 405 Christian Counseling) with the goal of serving the sisters around her. She's also interested in evangelism courses.”
In this instance, our curriculum and teachers seem to fit her situation. We may be able to help Jaiden grow in her faith and service. We may also be able to carefully share with her what confessional Lutheranism looks like and why we so highly value the truth of salvation by Christ, by grace alone. This is exactly why we are reaching out to Chinese expatriates to engage them in dialogue around the evangelical truths of the Bible.
Other seeds are sown
Pastor Paul continued, “I've organized a list of twelve individuals who contacted us through the website recently. I've had online meetings with several people from this list, though most of the others haven't responded to emails. I followed up with them again today to see if they'll reply.”
Pray for Pastor Paul to sow God’s seed faithfully. Pray for him to keep going even when there are days when the birds snatch it up like they’re at a feeder, or when the thistles distract those whom he contacts. Pray for good weather (right conditions) and fertile
We are learning how to find the best places and processes to spread the seed. Perhaps it will be this Jaiden or another Jaydon that the Spirit shines in and through. Then the cycle of the seed will begin all over again to bring new life in heaven and on earth.