Penny and I just returned from a 3800-mile Compass 28:19 ministry trip across seven states, ministering in churches, visiting Compass donors and supporters, and also seeing some of our family members. Upon our return to our Iowa home, we rejoiced to enter a clean, dry, ‘plants watered’ house, thanks to our kids who live just 10 minutes down the road!
More than once, while on our trip, we had dear folks ask us, “How do you stay so long on the road?”. My answer – God’s grace and the loving care and ‘housepitality’ of many disciples along the way, who love the Lord, His ministries, and His traveling saints. God gives us grace, as He does to so many other missionaries and those who travel great distances in the ministries!
I’m reminded of the verses found in III John verses 5-8, “Dear friend, you are showing faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers, especially when they are strangers. They have testified to your love in front of the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God . . . Therefore, we ought to support such men so that we can be coworkers with the truth.”
I’m also encouraged by the words from the Apostle Paul when he writes to his churches in Romans 12:13, “Distributing to the necessity of the saints; given to hospitality.”
The writer of Hebrews exhorts us when he declares, “Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it”. There are a few of us (me included) who travel in ministry, who do not always act like ‘angels’ in homes and at conferences! The grace that the Lord gives to us who travel, is also given to those who ‘put up with us’ when we’re at their home or church.
It’s not a big secret . . . people who love the Lord, love His saints! The writer of Hebrews is encouraging the Believers to not ‘forget to practice hospitality’ to those who may be strangers (travelers) to them. Penny and I were not forgotten when traveling through the areas where Compass ministries are portrayed.
Paul loved the saints in Philippi and he demonstrated that love by thanking them for all that they did for him as a church planting missionary. They took care of Paul’s tangible and financial needs, “And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times.” (Phil. 4:15, 16).
We see disciples helping and serving other disciples in the Bible and we experienced the very same act of love and concern on our 26-day ministry trip. Penny and I are humbled and eternally grateful for the tangible love and compassion shown to us.
What I shared with you in this issue of ‘Making Disciples’, is also a unique characteristic of Compass 28:19’s teaching and training. The GOER is sent to a ministry location by the SENDER, who is 100% behind the GOER in prayer, physical support, and financial backing. When the GOER arrives at the ministry location, the HOST then provides all the necessities for the GOER to minister to their people, to their churches in their culture.
What’s occurring here? It’s disciples helping disciples . . . a Biblical principle that has been practiced for millennia. Are you welcoming the ‘traveling minister(s)’ to your church, and in your home? Penny and I have been on both sides of the equation. We so much enjoy God’s disciples and servants in our home and church. We have also been incredibly blessed by being served, while on the road! THANK YOU, Disciples, for taking care of the Jacksons.
Train.Go.Serve.Change.
John