I am learning something about persistence – and in particular, persistence in prayer. An interesting New Testament word stands behind the concept. Proskartereo may be translated “to persist,” or sometimes “to be devoted to” or “to focus on.” We find … (read more)
During the month of May we fell $42,400 short of what was needed to pay full allowances to everyone. We transferred $25,735 from estate funds to bring the minimum allowance up to 65%. Thirty-two missionary units received 65% of targeted … (read more)
I would like to take a moment this month to remind you of WMPL’s participation in Thrivent’s GivingPlus program. Giving Plus GivingPlus gives Thrivent members the opportunity to supplement their donations to the Prayer League. Here is how the program works. When … (read more)
Not long ago, a pastor announced to one of our missionaries: “The age of Christian missions is past.” When I heard of the encounter, I almost dropped my jaw. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fairness, our pastor … (read more)
As I mentioned last month, I have been reading 2 Corinthians once again recently. (Actually, we have been reading the book together at our headquarters in Minneapolis.) In a single verse in chapter nine, I came upon an edgy description … (read more)
I have been reading 2 Corinthians once again. In chapter nine, I came across a verse that seems to encapsulate, in a strange way, one of the great and most significant challenges before the modern church. I am thinking of … (read more)
“Why are you standing around all day?” (Matthew 20:6, Peterson). I have recently revisited a familiar story from the New Testament. It is often called “The Parable of the Householder.” But really it is a story about mission. Just following … (read more)
“…brothers and sisters in holiness who share the highest of all callings…” (Hebrews 3:1 , Peterson). I have been reading in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Today I arrived at Chapter Three. In Chapter Three, our writer compares the ministries … (read more)
“I believed, and so I spoke” (2 Corinthians 4:13). An extraordinary week graces the Christian lectionary, come January. On January 18, Christians the world over mark “The Confession of St. Peter.” And on January 25, millions will observe “The Conversion … (read more)
“[God] has spoken to us by a Son” (Hebrews 1:2). “In the beginning was the Word,” we read in the Gospel of John. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us” (1:1,14). It is Christmas-time. God the Father sent … (read more)