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Men of Integrity, Sep/Oct 2001
The Epaphroditus Corps
Theme for the Week: Investing Internationally—1 Thessalonians 1-3
Saturday, October 27
Q. If I'm not able to be a missionary, how can I serve Christ internationally?
A. Three years ago friends of ours, with the wife seven months pregnant, had to leave a certain country. God sent someone to watch their house. After arrival in the States, their baby was born without complications. They departed from the field with two suitcases, but God met all of their needs. How? Through the generosity and care of fellow Christians: mission-in-residence service at their church; grad school classes; housing; a car, computer, and closets full of clothes for themselves and their two boys.
But is helping really missionary service?
You bet. Missionary service is first and foremost partnership in the gospel. This is what inspired the apostle Paul when he thanked the Philippians (in 4:10-19). They commissioned one of their own members, Epaphroditus, to minister to Paul's needs. The man risked his life to render the service the Philippians couldn't give in person. Paul knew that through Christ he had the strength for anything, but he confessed that he received that strength through what the Philippians did for him.
Besides money, our partnerships with our missionaries must include our people. God has a place for every Christian in his missionary program. Some he calls to do the work of a church planter, like Paul. Some like Epaphroditus he calls to serve the needs of missionaries. Who will be your church's next Epaphroditus to care for a missionary?
Jim Reapsome is editor-at-large of World Pulse and Evangelical Missions Quarterly.
Adapted from: World Pulse (2/5/99)
Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Men of Integrity magazine.
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September/October 2001, Vol. 4, No. 5
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Prayer for the Week |
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Father, I want to be a tool in Your hands to reshape the lives of people for whom Your Son died.
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