Into All the World: Volume 1, Issue 8

Church Planting, Really?

By John Yingling, General Director

Photo of Dr. John YinglingChurch planting seems to be the buzzword for missions today among Independent Baptists. Raising support can be a tough venture at present, especially if you cannot drop the term “church planting” somewhere along the line. The measure of missionary “success” nowadays is usually measured by churches established. While this may be an indication of a work of God it may not necessarily be so. Nowhere in the Great Commission will you find a command to plant churches.

Missionary Highlight
Yohanness & Kidist Getaneh

Picture of the Getaneh Family

Yohannes and Kidist

Please pray for Yohannes and Kidist Getaneh. God has used this family in a remarkable way among the Deaf of Zambia. There is a viable movement of God happening in this country among the Deaf. At least 23 churches have been established. God is doing great things. Now the Deaf of Zambia are reaching out to the Deaf in other African Nations.

Satan is attempting to stop this great work. It is not wise to elaborate in this format. Yet, the need for prayer along the lines of 1 Timothy 2:2 is great.


Missionary Humor

There was a missionary who was greatly relieved to learn that a tropical depression was a meteorological term.

David desired to build a habitation for God. God spoke very clearly to David. “For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.” (1 Chronicles 17:5) God later asked King David, “Have I ever asked anyone to build me a house?” (I Chronicles 17:6) But then, God gave David the most wonderful promise:

…I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house. And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore. 1 Chronicles 17:10b-14

Immediately Solomon and his Temple come into mind, but Solomon was not the fulfillment of this promise. He was only the type. His kingdom was temporary; his temple destroyed. The fulfillment of this promise can only be Jesus Christ, and the Temple or habitation of God is His Church. Ephesians 2:19-22 makes this abundantly clear.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Where the church is first mentioned (Matthew 16:18) Christ declares that it is He, Himself that will build His Church. The Law of First Mention demands that this principle be applied. Our Lord did not command his disciples to build churches. He commanded that they preach and teach (i.e., proclaim and mentor – 1 Corinthians 1:21 and 2 Timothy 2:2). The Lord of the Harvest does the building through the Spirit of God. This should be our mission and our focus.

The result will be a genuine movement of God; a movement that transcends any culture and any personality. I have witnessed on two occasions a local church established by the witness of a godly lady. Neither single missionary lady set out to plant a church. They set out to lift up Jesus where they were planted and He built His local church.

Let us follow the pattern of the Antioch church in Acts 13. “…They ministered to the Lord and fasted…” The rest is history. Jesus is the Lord of the Harvest, the Head of the Body, the Church Planter!

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:2-3


DeafNation World Expo Ministry Opportunity

DeafNation World Expo is an international event held every two years in Las Vegas. DeafNation World Expo 2012 is July 29th through August 1st. The event organizers are expecting nearly 30,000 Deaf from more than 70 countries in attendance. God is bringing the mission field of the deaf world to our doorstep.

BIO Director of Deaf Ministries, David Peach, is partnering with a team of 35 other Christians to distribute Gospel tracts and DVDs. There is complete freedom to share the Gospel with Deaf who may not have the chance to learn about God in their own country. Missionaries from four different mission boards are working together on the team lead by Silent Word Ministries International Director, David Bennett.

“…brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” 2 Thessalonians 3:1

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