I have seen some Taiwanese here recently give their lives to Jesus and it is amazing to see them changing! One of our base leaders here was encouraging the staff in regard to personal evangelism and one of the things that she said really struck me and made a lot of sense.

Sometimes within ministry, we get into this mindset where we think that we have to talk to as many people as we can and preach the gospel to as many people as possible so that we can reach more people. The intentions are good in this but often times there is a danger of 1: getting burnt out, and 2: creating shallow relationships that really don’t really express love and also can lack actual discipleship. (This does not always happen but it is something that we need to be aware of)

We need to remember that Jesus commanded believers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” – Matt 28:19. He doesn’t just stop there though. He then says to “baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. Still that is not all. He continues with the command “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.”. – Matt 28:19-20.

Wait wait wait.. I’m not only supposed to tell people about Jesus? I am called to walk with them? disciple them? Teach them? Yes. That is what Jesus is saying here.

It is important for us as believers to go beyond mere words and preaching to people. We need to be willing to invest in someone’s life and walk with them while they learn and grow in the Lord.

This was challenging to me and I hope it can also help someone else. By taking a year and really investing in someone, loving them and showing them what being a disciple of Jesus is through living it and growing together, you may help to change their lives forever and be changed yourself in the process too.

The lady who shared this just prayed one day that God would bring someone into her life who she could invest in for a year. Right then, God brought someone into the cafe she was in. She met them and committed to them, and now, many years later, that person is a missionary and preaching the gospel full time also. She did the same thing the next year and then the next year. God continued to bring her one person at a time that she could invest in for a year and disciple. When she shared this, there were I think 4 people in the very room that were those people she had committed to and they have been missionaries since that time!

It is amazing what God will do with a willing person who wants to make Him known. 

On another note, I am soooo excited to get married this year to Amber, the most amazing woman! Life has been very full while planning the wedding and starting up the new Bible school!

This school is amazing and the people in is are hungry for the Lord and for the word. They have powerful voices in worship and dang they are just a fun bunch! 39 students and 12 staff this year! Whew!

I love you and if you have any prayer requests, please feel free to send them my way!

Love is the answer, Humility is the key, Jesus is the way!

Your brother in Christ

Jacob President