Author: Jonathan Dodson

This is an important question. Is social action, for Christians, an end in itself or a means to conversion? Can we give a “cup of cold water” with out giving it “in Jesus’ name” and the action still be eternally signficant? Or when we give cold water without the warm gospel, do we just fit people for hell?

This is a very important question, which affects our view of the city and the gospel. As a churchplanter among the highly talented and often wealthy Creative Class, Chester and Timmis’ words are a great reminder of the biblical focus on the poor:

We are not to prioritize our rich neighbors. Our focus is to be on the poor and needy. Indeed part of our evangelism to the rich is evangelism to the needy. We subvert their preoccupation with power and success as they see us loving the unlovely. We expose their selfishness and self-righteousness when they see us eating with outcasts. They begin to see Jesus living through us.

I just received four new books from Eerdmans today. Click images for more info.
  

Here is an excerpt from the conversation John Piper had with Talitha, his daughter:

We prayed during our family devotions. Talitha (11 years old) and Noel and I prayed earnestly for the families affected by the calamity and for the others in our city. Talitha prayed “Please don’t let anyone blame God for this but give thanks that they were saved.” When I sat on her bed and tucked her in and blessed her and sang over her a few minutes ago, I said, “You know, Talitha, that was a good prayer, because when people ‘blame’ God for something, they are angry with him, and they are saying that he has done something wrong. That’s what “blame” means: accuse somebody of wrongdoing. But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand.” Talitha said, “With his pinky.” “Yes,” I said, “with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills.”

Read the whole thing.

One of the most challenging locations in Mongolia to work in is the Gobi Desert. SIM’s Acting Director, “Joseph,” and his wife “Ester” work in the middle of the Gobi Desert…

We have been in many challenging ministry settings around the world, but this location must rank among the most difficult. There is no vegetation; no green, no flowers – only sand. The living conditions are very poor and basic, what you can get to eat is very limited, and a sense of depression overwhelms you as people seek to go about their lives in this harsh environment. We got caught in a sandstorm where the visibility was reduced to about six meters – the darkness was quite overwhelming.

Yet in this little town, a community of God’s people is being established and built up. In an environment of hopelessness, the Gospel of faith, hope, and love is making an impact. It was a very special privilege to see this and to meet people whose lives have been transformed by the Good News.

Sixteen years ago there were four Christians in Mongolia. The Mongolia Evangelical Alliance estimates that there are now around 40,000. The church has grown 10,000 times in the past 16 years – this rate of growth is equivalent to 1,000,000% over this period. These are staggering statistics that we need to praise God for.

It is interesting to note that two key factors seem to have contributed to the growth of the Mongolian Church: 1) radical expressions of cross-denominational and cross-agency partnership 2) a robust commitment to whole gospel ministry. 

Full story here. More details and facts here.