Calvary School of Missions: Week 5

It’s Rachel again and I am eager to share the great things that the Lord has done this week in the School of Missions! I’m so thankful that you have chosen to be a part of this work as I train for long-term missions. Your thoughts and prayers are so… appreciated!

The theme the Lord has stamped upon my heart this week is discipleship. What is discipleship? I probably couldn’t have given you a clear definition before this week, but I have realized that it is the duty of the Church. Just before He ascended to the Father’s right hand, Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). When a military officer gives a command, his inferiors must heed that command until they are given a different directive. Making disciples is the last command that we have received from our General, and we must heed His instruction. 

The New Testament is riddled with verses on discipleship, and it is clear that in order to make disciples of Jesus, we must first be disciples of Jesus. Jesus makes it clear that a disciple is to be identified with His teacher (Matthew 10:24-25). As we follow Jesus, we are conformed more and more to His likeness. Jesus sums up how this is done in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” To abide means to live in, to inhabit, and to dwell in. When we allow the Word to change us so that we dwell in it; we are His disciples. As a result we bear fruit: “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:8). The fruit is love (John 13:35), and the love of Christ results in making more disciples! (Acts 1:8, 2:42-43). 

To simplify all of that, discipleship is learning how to obey Jesus together. We are never going to be perfect. We will not “arrive” at a place of spiritual maturity where we are “qualified” to make disciples. We simply must take our stand daily in the grace of God alone. As we invite people into our daily walk with the Lord and invest in their spiritual development then we will learn to dwell in His Word. 

We attended a church-planting conference this weekend at Calvary Chapel Rosarito. It was awesome! We were able to hear from lots of pastors who have planted churches in Mexico and parts of the United States. It is obvious from the book of Acts that God’s designated method of world-evangelization is church-planting. I see now that the Church is the most effective vehicle for making disciples! This is why church-planting all over the world, especially in places that do not have a local church, is so crucial to fulfilling the Great Commission! Jesus commanded us to make disciples among all nations, and what better way than establishing a fellowship where people can be fed the Word of God and learn to live in His grace? We have our marching orders! Let’s heed our General’s command, and see that His name is exalted in the earth. He is worthy of disciples in every nation. Amen. 

Thank you so much for reading this! I am so grateful for your partnership in prayer and finances. I thank God for each of you, and for your investment in the gospel. If you would like to receive more about church-planting or discipleship, or if you have any prayer requests, please shoot me an email! I would love to hear from you. 

Prayer requests are below, as well as a link to our giving platform if you would like to partner with me financially. My heart is to make disciples of Jesus among nations where the gospel is not known, and your partnership is cherished! 

In Christ, 
Rachel

Praise Reports:

• God is so good!
• The Lord is moving in all our hearts and bringing clarity to vision and next-steps. 
• Pastor Gregg and Vikki from Calvary Red Rock were able to come out for the Church-Planting Conference and it was such a blessing to catch up with them!
• The Lord has kept us all safe and healthy!

Prayer Requests:

• “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” Galatians 6:9. Let us not grow weary as we near the end of the school, but press in to the Lord!
• Unreached People Group: Brahmin in Nepal
  • Please pray for the Brahmans in Nepal. They have a population of 3.2 million, and 0.0% are Christian. 
  • These people are generally well-to-do, but they are spiritually destitute without the gospel. 
  • Pray that the Lord would send laborers into this harvest (Matthew 9:38), that God would reveal Himself, and that the Brahman would have the opportunity to receive Christ.