Focus

Today is the day of Holy Week in which we reflect on the hopelessness that so many of Jesus’ followers had after his death. Did they know he would be raised from the dead, or were they broken and distraught?

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations...” (Mt 28:18) But, like many people, Mark has often answered, “I’m not an evangelist...it’s not my gift.” Mark Schoenhals' gift in making disciples is in mentoring one-on-one or teaching in small groups. So, he has often responded to Jesus’ Great Commission by focusing on the teaching and mentoring part of discipleship and he has seen beautiful fruit from this ministry. Nevertheless, people cannot become disciples of Jesus if they haven’t heard the good news, and they won’t hear if no one tells them. Some people are gifted as evangelists, but all disciples of Jesus are sent to share the gospel.

Last month, EMM workers Steve Horst and Bethany Tobin and their family attend the EMM annual team retreat in southeast Asia. It was a time with a small group of like-minded people who they have known and worked with for over ten years, sharing deeply, receiving prayer, playing, and enjoying life together for a few days.

Is it time to move forward? Do you have a feeling of holy discontent? Well, we want to invite you to come to a time set aside for reflection and discernment as we revisit a sense of call and invite God's Spirit to fan the embers into flame. This event, "Called: reignite the call" will be held March 22–23 in Akron, Pennsylvania. Register now at emm.org/called.

This past summer, Andres Prins had no idea that a recreational hike through the High Atlas mountains would lead to an opportunity to respond to the earthquake that would devastate the region just months later. In June, a Moroccan friend, who is a mountain trekking guide, agreed to lead Andres and a group of local believers on a trip that had them leave their car at the end of the road in a village of about 800 people, Tizi Oussem, before hiking to a 3000 meter-high refuge for the night. Passing acquaintances were made with some of the village people.

Every business owner eventually starts to contemplate the future and what is to become of their hard work. It is never too early to anticipate and plan for a leadership transition. If this topic interests you, you're invited to the EMM business leaders’ breakfast on Tuesday, March 12 from 7 to 8:45 am at Hub 450, which is 450 N Prince St in Lancaster City.

Register at emm.org/breakfast.

In September 2023, as Alan and Carol Wert's small group continued to grow to 13 or 14 people and packed out their living rooms, they made the decision to multiply the group into two, allowing space for others to join.

Matthew Baugher is participating in Advance Global, a 9-month, international discipleship and service opportunity. He is currently doing his outreach ministry in Halle, Germany. Today’s story is a summary of some of Matthew’s reflections about his time in Germany so far.

Four people in a rural village in Thailand were be baptized by having buckets of water from the ponds poured over them. Given the considerable distance from any of the other churches in the province, a decision was made to empower them to conduct their own church services. In one day, Andre and other church leaders witnessed the birth of a church. God gave them a window to see what is possible when His Spirit is moving.

The Czech Republic has the fifth-highest incarceration rate in the European Union (out of 27 EU member states) and the ninth-highest of all the 46 European countries. It is often argued that the Czech Republic is among the most secular countries in the world. Yet, a rich spiritual heritage is part of Czech history, including Jan Hus, a reformer who inspired Martin Luther, and the Moravian Brethren, who accomplished amazing missionary work in North America and all over the world.

You can support this project by giving a gift online at emm.org/czechtranslation