from April 1, 2012 prayer update

The Scriptures are clear regarding a literal heaven and hell. They are real places. Every human ever born will spend forever in one location or the other. With the location decided entirely by how they have responded to what Christ has done on their behalf. These are sobering truths.

We are all confronted with the reality of death at different points in our lives. Some of these confrontations are subtle, others are life changing.

I lost my dad to cancer 33 years ago. He was a young man of 50. But it was through his cancer experience that he confronted the reality of death. This confrontation brought him to the cross of Christ. A hardened and scarred agnostic came to Christ through the witness of a work colleague a few months before his death. And his life was transformed.

I lost my mom 3 years ago. I had the privilege of being at her bedside as she passed from this life into the reward she was awaiting at age 78.

Last fall I lost a long-time friend and former colleague with The Navigators, Dick Miller, to heart failure at age 72. And in January I lost a close friend and former mentor with ACMC, Dr. David Mays, to heart failure at age 69.

For those who know Christ, death is simply leaving behind a worn out suit of clothes and moving into real life as God intended. Nonetheless it often creates a painful separation for those left behind.

For those who don’t know Christ, death is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions. 27% of the world’s people live among a people group who have little or no access to the gospel. Tragic! They have not rejected the gospel. They have been provided with no opportunity to respond. Bringing the gospel to these people should be very high on the priority list of every local church.

On March 14 death struck again. My mom remarried a few years after my dad’s death. Before her passing, she had been married for 24 years to Dr. W.R. (Ray) Corvin, a man who had also been widowed. I was already a married adult when my mom remarried. Ray never attempted to be my dad. But he was a great husband to my mom, a far better one than my dad had been. And he was a good and godly man.



Ray was born on Christmas day in 1921, growing up on a farm in rural Oklahoma. He served in WW2. He came to know Christ personally through his older brother on his wedding day. He was a well educated man with a seminary degree and a PhD from the University of Oklahoma. He served as a senior pastor in several Methodist and Pentecostal Holiness churches. He was president of Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma City for 15 years. And was president of the University of Biblical Studies in Oklahoma City (one of the first large scale distance learning schools in the U.S.) for another 15 years. Ray also had the opportunity to proclaim Christ in China, Cuba, India, and Israel. At the age of 80, a head injury in a tractor accident sped the onslaught of Alzheimer’s. Ray graduated to heaven 10 years later. He left behind a mind with no short-term memory and no ability to recognize anyone that he had previously known. I am delighted that he is now in the presence of the One he served for many decades. He is no longer hampered by a used up body and a mind that no longer works. I am proud to have been his step-son.

from March 5, 2012 prayer update

Last week I participated in Verge, a large conference in Austin targeting missional community leaders. Several dozen presenters spoke over a four day period, with the final day focused on God’s mission among the nations.

Clearly those who conceived and organized the conference get it, or they would not have included the final day focus. However, I was disappointed that so many of the presenters (many well known, nationally prominent promoters of the missional church through their writing and their speaking) did not get it. Certainly not all the presenters, but more than a few, spoke about social justice without any linkage to the Great Commission. And they spoke about the Great Commission without any linkage to the nations.

There was, however, a striking exception to this pattern. David Platt is a young senior pastor of a denominational mega-church in Alabama. Platt is perhaps best known for his book, Radical, and a follow-up book titled Radical Together. He spoke with great passion about the transformation the church he leads was undergoing as they reject the American dream and focus on extending God’s global glory. Platt was articulate, well informed, and actively casting vision for ordinary believers to engage with people groups with little or no access to the gospel.

Unlike some of the conference’s speakers, Platt gets it. He did a fantastic job of helping his hearers understand that social justice must go hand-in-hand with gospel proclamation. And that a focus on reaching the lost in our communities must be coupled with a focus on the nations (with a priority placed on least reached peoples).

I read Radical a couple of years ago and found it be the most challenging book I had read in several years. It closes with a challenge to the believer to engage in a personal one year experiment in which they undertake five simultaneous challenges:
1. pray for the entire world
2. read through the entire Word
3. sacrifice money for a specific purpose
4. spend time in another context
5. commit to a multiplying community

I just finished reading Radical Together. It has a similar theme, but is geared to the local church, not the individual believer. How do we pursue God’s global glory together? My boss liked the book so well, that he is buying it by the case and giving a copy to every church missions leader that participates in one of Pioneers church partnership forums.

A few quotes from Radical Together.

"God has called us to lock arms with one another in single-minded, death-defying obedience to one objective: the declaration of His gospel for the demonstration of His glory to all nations. … And it is worth it for you and me, because we were made to enjoy the great pleasures of God in the context of total abandonment to His global purpose." – p. 5

“The plan of God is certainly not confined to large churches or gifted leaders. The plan of God is for every person among the people of God to count for the advancement of the kingdom.” – p. 75

“What we need to understand is that Jesus did not command us simply to take the gospel to as many individual people as we can. Instead, He made it clear that His followers are to make disciples among every people group in the world.” – p. 82

“we are to be selfless followers of a self-centered God. But the problem is that we often reverse this in the church. We become self-centered followers of a selfless God. We organize our churches as if God exists to meet our needs, cater to our comforts, and appeal to our preferences. Discussions in the church more often revolve around what we want than what He wills.” – p. 105

Let’s get radical about the gospel and about bringing it to those who have never heard. Let’s give all that we are to seeing the Great Commission completed in our lifetime – discipling the nations by establishing healthy, reproducing, culturally relevant churches among every people group on the planet.

from February 5, 2012 prayer update

The Scriptures are filled with great examples of mentoring. Moses mentored Joshua. Elijah mentored Elisha. David mentored his mighty men. Jesus mentored the 12. Barnabus mentored Paul who mentored Timothy.


During the years that we were colleagues together in ACMC, I had a mentor too, David Mays. David left ACMC in 2007 to become the learning initiatives director for The Mission Exchange (formerly EFMA). David was a man I looked up to for a wide variety of reasons. He was a disciplined and godly man. He loved people and was deeply committed to the great commission, especially a focus on the nations. He was a fantastic practical resource to church mission leaders. Check out his web site. He had a great sense of humor and a dry wit. He was a well educated man, with a PhD in the natural sciences and a seminary degree. He had a work ethic that just wouldn’t quit. He was a good communicator and very practical with what he said. He was a published author, in fact, the most prolific in ACMC’s history. He was better read than anyone I know personally. He read, wrote, and made available to a broad audience summaries on about 200 books every year. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. And perhaps most significantly from my vantage point, he was a loyal and caring friend.

On January 2, my dear friend and mentor experienced heart failure and unexpectantly left life on this fallen planet and entered into a far richer life in the presence of God. I miss him already, and I grieve for his family. But I am delighted that he finished strong and has heard Jesus say “well done, good and faithful servant.”

David’s boss had this to say about him, “I could make a compelling case that David Mays has read more books, interviewed more thought leaders, and facilitated more mission-focused webinars than anyone in North America in the past thirty-six months. In his passing we’ve lost a treasure chest of kingdom insights but gained a powerful and inspiring finishing well role model. May David’s life and legacy challenge all of us to press forward as life-long learners, hungry for God and passionate about sharing the Good News with the nations.”

Brigada Today said this about David, “If you didn't get a book review from him at one time or another (maybe you were living on Mars?), you probably heard one of his webinars. In his typical well-prepared way, he modeled a level of excellence for me that was such a trademark, it might as well have been his middle name. In his work with ACMC, and most recently, with The Mission Exchange, he was always ‘Mr. Resource,’ and constantly improving the capacity of local churches and agencies wanting to make a global impact. But this past week, he went on up to see Jesus. David Mays will be missed, but not forgotten. The Mission Exchange might try to replace him, but they'll need five employees to come close to what David did solo and each of those five better be good. Bravo David. Job well done.”

Missions Catalyst had the following words about David. “My friend David Mays died last week. I admired and respected him hugely. David was a mobilizer and darn good at it; a first-round inductee into the Mobilizer Hall of Fame. His success in ministry was undergirded by his walk with Christ. I'll think of him when I'm choosing between reading an important book or playing Angry Birds. I'll continue to rely on his expertise when a church asks about a sticky missions issue and I think, ‘I bet that's on a Mays Stuff CD.’ And I hope and pray his example looms in my mind when I ask myself, ‘Am I giving it my all? Am I mobilizing with intent, empathy, wisdom, and humor? Is Jesus working through me as I work in His harvest?’ David Mays did these things. And Jesus worked through him.”

Solomon’s words in Proverbs 13:20a come to mind, “He who walks with the wise grows wise” Thank you Jesus for the powerful impact of David May’s life on so many, including me.

from January 1, 2012 prayer update

Below is Christianity Today’s list of the top 10 religious stories in 2011.

1. Rob Bell tries to legitimize universalism, prompting huge backlash. He later announces he's leaving Mars Hill Bible Church to work in TV.
2. States adopt 80 abortion restrictions in their 2011 legislative sessions, an all-time high (the previous record was 34).
3. Mideast Christians conflicted about the Arab Spring, especially as anti-Christian violence follows Mubarak ouster in Egypt.
4. John Stott, evangelical statesman, pastor, and builder of the global church, dies at 90.
5. Beijing's Shouwang Church holds outdoor services for more than six months, enduring mass arrests as it leads China's booming house churches in unprecedented demands for religious freedom.
6. HarperCollins, which already owns Zondervan, buys Thomas Nelson; it now has about 50 percent of the Christian book market.
7. How best to translate "Son of God" in Bibles for the Muslim world becomes a flashpoint, prompting Wycliffe to clarify standards and missionaries to pledge more civility.
8. Tim Tebow's prominent display of faith becomes one of the sports world's major talking points.
9. Largely Christian South Sudan votes for independence; persecution ensues for Christians in the Nuba Mountains and Khartoum.
10. The PC(USA) votes to allow noncelibate gay pastors, prompting defections from presbyteries. (Meanwhile, the United Methodists hold the line on same-sex unions amid a planned clergy revolt.)
Story #7 is one with great relevance in missions circles. It regards the tension between contextualization and syncretism. Where should the line be drawn?

On one hand we have Paul’s statement in I Corinthians 9:22b, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” One of many passages that illustrates the importance of contextualizing evangelism and church planting. Contextualization seeks to make the gospel as clear, winsome, and culturally relevant as possible. Tailoring it to the audience.

On the other hand is Paul’s statement in Galatians 1:8, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” One of many passages that illustrate the importance of avoiding syncretism and preserving the purity of the gospel message. Syncretism is mixing Christianity with something else -- animism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Marxism, materialism, New Age mysticism, secular humanism, the American dream, veneration of Mary, or anything else.

Sadly this tension, which is a healthy tension for any local church and any missions sending agency to grapple with, has become a highly divisive issue in the Church. Those on both extremes are often at odds with one another.

The “insider movement” in the Muslim world has become the epicenter of this tension. It has become such an important issue for many, that Pioneers has developed a formal statement of their position.

Regardless of where we may personally draw the line regarding this important tension, my hope is that we can embrace Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:18, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

from December 5, 2011 prayer update

Twice annually (March and November) Pioneers church partnership team hosts a CPF (church partnership forum) at our U.S. mobilization base in Orlando. The intent is to involve a small group of church mission leaders (from churches with a pre-existing relationship with Pioneers) with our nine member church partnership team in a highly interactive two days together around the issue of local church / sending agency partnership.

It provides Pioneers with the opportunity to better understand the missions related objectives of the local churches represented, and it gives insight into where each church is in their journey toward meaningful engagement with the nations. It provides the local churches participating with the opportunity to better understand who Pioneers is and how we operate. And it provides both with the opportunity to begin to consider a future of deeper more impactful partnership together in church planting among the least reached around the globe.



On November 15-17, I had the opportunity to participate in my first CPF with Pioneers. 14 local churches (20 individuals) were involved in our time together. Most of these churches has one or more missionary candidates with us preparing for departure to the field. The remainder already have workers with us on the field.

We generally invite an outside missions leader to join with us during this time to provide input and help facilitate interaction. For this CPF that was Ellen Livingood with Catalyst Services. Ellen led 3 interactive sessions with us – “response to a compelling vision”, “proactive partnerships”, and “next steps”. We also heard from Pioneers US president, Steve Richardson, on “core values: behind the mission” and Pioneers US executive VP, Ted Esler, on “show and tell church planting”. Folks also were provided with a high level overview of the role of Pioneers mobilization, training, and member development teams by a representative from each of those teams.

We began each day with breakfast together, followed by a time of corporate worship and a challenge from the Scriptures from a Pioneers staff member. We split those participating into four groups (each group sat together throughout our two day gathering) to encourage greater intimacy and continuity in our interactions together. I served as a facilitator for one of these groups. We shared all our meals together and were housed together on the Pioneers campus for this event. So there were lots of opportunities for informal interaction.

Our church partnership team also led 3 interactive sessions – “the challenge of unreached peoples”, “proactive sending and care”, and “growing relationships that lead to results”. We wrapped up our time together praying for each church participating and the next steps they identified for their church through this intense two days together.

Our next CPF will be held at our U.S. mobilization base in Orlando on March 20-22. John Kless, lead pastor at Glendale Bible Church in Philadelphia for 32 years, and Eric Hyatt, global outreach pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis for 9 years, will be the outside missions leaders leading and interacting with us at this gathering. Churches participating are responsible for their travel costs. Pioneers provides everything else – housing, meals, transportation to and from the airport, and the event at no charge to those involved.

from November 6, 2011 prayer update

Mission Possible exists “to glorify God by connecting the body of Christ with Austin’s urban communities to foster Christ-life transformation through life-on-life relationships”.



Since 1992 Mission Possible has served the poor on Austin’s east side. Although its objective is not service, it is life transformation. Not just for those we serve, but perhaps even more so, for those who are serving. That has certainly been the case in my life.

Mission Possible is involved with three primary audiences in east Austin – the homeless on the street, children and families in government housing projects, and the elderly living in the community. Lives are touched and transformed through more than a dozen different programs and through partnership with other organizations and churches also serving the same community.



Tim Pinson is the founder and executive director of Mission Possible. Tim has been a close personal friend for many years. He is the visionary and the passionate, hands-on personality behind this important ministry. He is joined by two full-time staff members, Beau Hamner (who leads the ministries and volunteers that serve the homeless on the street) and Kimberly Ginnings (who leads the ministries and volunteers that serve children and families in the government housing projects). And there are number of part-time and contract workers that serve in a wide variety of roles within the organization.





The organization is located at the intersection of 12th and Chicon (described by the Austin American Statesman as Austin’s most crime infested intersection 5 years ago).
Mission Possible renovated an abandoned church and parking lot at that intersection several years ago to house many of its programs and to provide space for some of its ministry partners. More recently we acquired and renovated a property across the street that had been a tavern, liquor store, and brothel. Today it houses Gandalf’s prayer café and provides space for Mission Possible’s staff.

I had the privilege of serving on Mission Possible’s board from 1998 to 2003 (chairing it the last three of those years) and am now completing a second term (which began back in 2008) on the board.

I was doing some devotional reading in Proverbs earlier this week. In Proverbs 31:8-9 it says: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” What a delight to be a small part of an organization that does just this in a less fortunate part of the community that I have lived in for nearly 40 years.

from October 2, 2011 prayer update

I invested several days this past week in a trip to Phoenix to participate in the annual North American mission leaders conference . The theme of the conference this year was “RESET: Mission in the Context of Deep Change”. As is usually the case with these kind of events, some of the plenary sessions were excellent, and some were snoozers. Same could be said of the workshops. I think I most enjoyed the opportunities for one-on-one interaction with the folks there that I don’t get to see often (I had a pre-existing relationship with maybe 100 of the 500+ in attendance). And of the many new people that I met last week, there are a few that I can now call friends.

I found the theme of the conference to be very timely. On the evening prior to the conference’s start, 28 folks that have been associated with ACMC (Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment) met for four hours around a meal to share stories, laugh, cry, and to celebrate the retirement of this organization. In its 35 year history, ACMC has helped thousands of Protestant churches across the U.S. become more effectively engaged with global and local missions. As you know, I invested 10 years of my life in this organization, shifting from a role with it to my current role as part of Pioneers’ church partnership team back in May.

We had known for years that ACMC was on the downward side of its growth and relevancy curve. Like many organizations, we worked harder at what we had been doing in the past in an effort to turn the tide, rather than addressing the more challenging issue of identifying and making the deep changes needed in the organization. Back in December our staff began to earnestly seek God about ACMC’s future. And by April, with the help of a gifted outside facilitator, the majority of our ACMC staff (I held a minority perspective) came to the conclusion that we were not able or willing to make the changes we needed to turn ACMC around. A orderly and God honoring retirement of the organization was our best option. ACMC now serves as one of many case studies of what happens when organizations ignore for too long honestly grappling with these kind of difficult but extremely important change issues.

Toward the end of NAML conference we witnessed two organizations approaching the issue of resetting for deep change very differently. The Mission Exchange (formerly EFMA) was founded in 1946 and CrossGlobal Link (formerly IFMA) was founded in 1917. They are the two key North American mission agency umbrella networks. Each has a long and meaningful past. Pioneers has been a member of both networks for many years. Both organizations see the potential for greater kingdom impact and greater unity in the global outreach efforts of the North American body of Christ through merging. A merger that will not only bring forward the strengths of each organization, but also will lead to new structures and initiatives that neither organization has pursued in the past. A vote was taken by the member mission organizations that make up both networks on the last day of the conference. Merger was overwhelmingly approved by both organizations and will officially happen at the first of the year. This sets the stage for increased relevancy and impact for many years into the future.