Global Focus

So before I tell about the kids latest adventure, I want to take a few minutes to tell about our Sunday School class this past week.  Well, first, we had a combined Sunday School class with all youth and adult meeting together to hear a special speaker.  I must say, to be honest, I was not exactly looking forward to this class.  I really enjoy/prefer meeting in our small group.  Well, the Lord sure did take away any reluctance I had to be there!  The speaker was great.  He definitely kept his audience engaged.  Here are few stats he shared:

• The most populated nation in the world is China...with India possibly going to surpass it in the not too distant future
• Christianity is the largest religion in the world today
• On average, 2,400 churches are being planted weekly worldwide (PRAISE GOD!)
• In 1950, Nepal, had no known believers...today an estimated 700,000!
• In 1949, China had less than one million Christians, today an estimated 100 million!
• In 1900, Latin America was home to about 50,000 evangelicals, today over 100 million!
• Africa has the fastest growing church in the world
• Of every dollar given by North American Christians to any type of Christian cause, 4 cents goes overseas to help advance the Kingdom of God
• There are about 6,600 unreached people groups in the world today
• And, the saddest statistic...an estimated 72,000 people die each DAY never having heard a clear gospel presentation in their entire life

The Global Focus speaker said something that really stuck with me...although all people equally need the Gospel, the Gospel is not equally accessible to all people.  He presented an idea of reached vs. unreached instead of saved vs. unsaved.  He also reminded us that first God tells us to love Him with all our mind, heart and soul.  Then, second to this, He tells to love our neighbor.  And one day, whether reached or unreached, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. 

The Global Focus vision and purpose states:  Our vision is to see the global church spiritually revitalized and strategically mobilized to fulfill its role in God's global mission.  Global Focus exists to glorify God by helping the local pastor and church leaders to be more effective in mobilizing the church to reach the world of Christ.

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us, Selah (Stop)

that your way may be known on earth,

your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity

and guide the nations upon earth. Selah (Stop)

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase;

God, our God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us;

let all the ends of the earth fear him!

 

Praying that "passion for God will lead to compassion for people."