The Epaphroditus Corps
Theme for the Week: Investing Internationally
Jim Reapsome
Saturday, October 27, 2001
 1 of 1
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.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
 share this page
Father, I want to be a tool in Your hands to reshape the lives of people for whom Your Son died.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
RSS Feed
