As a part of my preparation for doing foreign missions, I am taking a course called Perspectives. This course has been a great source of encouragement and learning for me when thinking about missions and the purpose of the Church in knowing and worhsipping God and spreading his Kingdom.
When Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago, he came as a human. He was completely human and completely God. He still retained his identity as the Son of God the Father, but he also went through this life on earth in a human body confined to human limitations. He emptied himself of his "God-power." Phil 2:5-11 tells us this: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, adn every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Now, the word messiah means "annointed one." As Jesus followed in obedience God's plan for him, he was baptized at the start of his ministry. At his baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, anointing Jesus with his power! During Jesus' ministry, all he did was through the power of the Holy Spirit, by his anointing to become the "anointed one". His work was by God's power. After his victory over sin and death, Christ was restored to all of which he had emptied himself, and God gave him all authority in heaven and earth (Matt 28:18) and the King of this Kingdom being brought to earth (just like the end of the Phil passage mentions).
The part that is so encouraging to me is that Christ operated by the power of the Holy Spirit! Jesus Christ told his disciples, in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." As we go out to do God's work, in whatever manner or capacity, we are operating by the power of the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus! That same power is availible to us for God's glory. How amazing is that to think about?
That reminds me that even now, as I am still in the United States preparing to leave, that God's power is in me now to join with Christians and encourage my brothers and sisters here in their walk, and in sharing Gods love even while I am in the midst of raising champions to join with me and support me in this ministry and going through training. And, that all of that will be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit!
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There are two churches thus far that have welcomed me to share with them, Lexington UMC All Nations in Lexington, KY, and St. Paul UMC in Fort Payne, AL. I am so excited to meet up with old friends and to get to know new ones and share with them the work God is doing in South Sudan and my call to be a part of that. Check them out!
Lexington UMC:
http://lexallnations.com/
St. Paul UMC:
http://stpaulumc.blogspot.com/
If you or anyone you know would be interested in hearing more about Mango Ministries and South Sudan, I would love to get in touch with you! Whether it is a personal meeting or sharing with a larger group, this is my passion and I truly love every opportunity to share. You can write me at whitney.smith@wgm.org.
Pray that these meetings will be a great time of fellowship and growth.
Also, please continue in prayer for the people of South Sudan.
Pray too for Mango Ministries for we are looking for more people to join our team. If you or anyone you know is feeling a call to missions with a heart for these people or for holistic community development, please, feel free to contact myself or the director of Mango Ministries, Joy Phillips at www.wgm.org/joyphillips.
Peace,
Whitney
