LEADing Leaders for the Great Commission
“Maraming-maraming salamat, po [thank you very much],” was the oft refrain as eager hands held tightly the relief care packages being distributed to typhoon struck homes by church volunteers. The aid distributions were organised by Life Empowerment and Action for Development (LEAD) Academy in the Philippines.
They have worked with the pastors and church leaders in their leadership training program. These church leaders received relief aid to meet their own needs and then became the channels of blessing for further aid distribution to neighbouring barangay (district or ward). Aid recipients were able to hear the gospel as they waited for their turn to receive the care packages. Some 878 heard the gospel and received the care packages resulting in 636 who trusted in Christ as their Saviour.
A Witness: What Has Been Seen And Heard
“14 And he [Ananias] said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you [Paul] to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.” ~ Acts 22:15 (NIV)
While this text is Paul’s recounting of his conversion to Christ and apostolic calling from God, the implications for us as followers of Christ is that we are to “be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.” An apostle means one who is “sent” on a mission as Christ’s witness to proclaim the Good News. The verse above helps us to understand what a “witness” for Christ is expected to do: to tell people what we have personally experienced about Christ.
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