a servant's heart: The Calm Before the Storm

After another year of college, i'm finally enjoying a few days of rest. But in 6 days, i'll be immersed in a city filled with foreign cultures, languages and beliefs for 3 months. Clarkston, GA is near to my heart for many reasons: the people, the culture, the food, but mostly the need, both physical and spiritual. Refugees from every walk of life live here. Clarkston is home to 120+ nationalities, 50+ languages and a wide array of beliefs, largely including Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Many have never heard a clear presentation of the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Most are are poor, having many children and little means to provide for them. The teen generation is in confusion, trying to be American to fit in at school and Indian, for example, to fit in at home. The children are bursting with energy. Some families have been in the States for 15 years, others 15 days.

While in Clarkston, i usually feel like i've left the country. Despite all the differences, the needs of these precious people are the same as mine and yours. We all want to feel like we belong. That we have a reason to exist. That there's something more than this unsatisfying world we find ourselves in. That there's an answer to our questions. That there exists something big enough to fill the emptiness we feel inside. They hunger just like we do...and their only hope is the same as ours. Only Jesus can bring the joy they yearn for, the answers they seek, the fullness they crave. And God has given us the privilege of telling them that there is hope.

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

i love Clarkston. My trips there are some of my favorite weeks out of the whole year. but being there has taught me something about every day life. Why is it that i am willing to give my summer to move to a tiny city filled with people that are largely different in belief and just about every other aspect of life...willing to give up fun time and sleep in order to potentially be rejected and mocked for my faith...why am i willing to go and do these things, but not stay and do the same things the rest of the year? Is missions and event...or a lifestyle?

"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

i've heard it said that "missions exists because worship doesn't." If everyone worshipped Jesus, there would be no missions...but they don't. Therefore, we must go. Jesus Himself commanded His Church to bear witness to Him and make disciples of every nation on the planet. It's not a calling for some, but a command for all. Christian, whether you ever leave the town you were born in or you move to the other side of the world, are you living the life Jesus calls you to? Are you bearing Him witness? Are you making disciples?

As far as Clarkston in concerned, here are some prayer needs:

1. Our pastors: Our pastoral team seeks diligently to submit themselves to the will of God and His direction. Please pray for their families, health, and spirits as they seek to follow Christ and be good shepherds of the people God gives them.

2. A place to meet: RTN is seeking a place to meet for corporate worship. We long to see a day where the nations worship together on this side of heaven.

3. Small groups: Please pray for our small groups that are meeting every week. RTN longs to see new small groups; so pray for God to raise up leaders.

4. Community: Please pray for the communities and leaders of Stone Moutain and Clarkston. Our community is filled with different faiths, people, and needs. Pray for God to heal, restore, and set them free for His glory.

i will be posting updates, stories, and thoughts throughout the summer. Though there will be many more to come, here's some photos to whet your appetite. Pray for these dear people. The nations are here. They are real and they have real needs, real hearts. And our hope is very real. Jesus is risen!