The work of missions hasn't ever been easy.  From the beginning, the call to go to all peoples would require a complete trust in Jesus' authority and a yielding to His call to even go outside of our comfort zones.

Making disciples is the purpose of the church, and it goes far beyond the simple pronouncement of the gospel.  It requires the multifaceted outworking of the Spirit through the whole of Christ's body (the church) to shape for God those existing followers who will grow up to help establish more new followers in the faith.

Jesus' commission to go make disciples is the defining call of the Christian.  However, a misunderstanding of this command will leave us missing the mark of God's design, for He desires not only to use us in growing His church, but to grow US through the very process.

God's plans will come to pass.  It is this great truth that allows us to face the unknown with confidence as we learn to rest our faith in His faithfulness.

Without Jesus, the world around us is going to forever stand in opposition to true worship of God.  But that doesn't mean the world doesn't worship!  The subject of worship is ultimately the question of what governors our hearts?

The favor of God, as orchestrated through His people, is designed to motivate our utility towards God's will and evidence His rule as His kingdom breaks into our world.

Sometimes life doesn't go according to plan... at least that's the way it looks to us. One of the greatest comforts that we can find as Christians is to remember that even when it looks like things are going awry, God is still in control.