CPCOG Blog

We are home from Ecuador.  I am thrilled that I got to share another wonderful week of missions work with my church family (and my wonderful wife, Beth).  Was I in my comfort zone?  NO WAY.  Was I physically comfortable.. NO, it was HOT and DUSTY.  Am I physically refreshed?  NO, I'M COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED.  Was it worth it?  ONEHUNDEREDPERCENTYESYESYES (interpreted as "you bet").  There is no better feeling in the world than knowing that you have obediently operated in the full will of God.  Looking to improve your connection to God?  Feel like you are not yet moving to the optimal place in your relationship with Him?  I urge you to consider taking part in next year's mission trip.  I guarantee you that your participation in real, engaging missions work will provide you with a new level of spiritual fulfillment and will bring your perspective on life and service more inline with God's plan for you.  Being inline with God's will is exactly where we all need to be.  Don't miss your opportunity!

 -- Jared

We had a kid's crusade today. Over 1000 children present... praise God. Overwhelming success. -- Jared

Ecuador 2012 is fast approaching.  Please accelerate your prayers for our missionary team:

• Pray that we will go forward in the boldness of the Spirit, overcoming any fear and spiritual inhibitions. 
• Pray that the Spirit will begin working in the lives of the people in Ecuador in advance of our arrival. 
• Pray that God will go before us opening doors into the prisons, universities, schools, and communities of Ecuador. 
• Pray that the men, women, and children we encounter will see God in us and make a decision for God.
• Pray that God will change the lives of our missionaries as much as He changes the lives of those to whom we minister.

Jared

Matthew 6:19-21

Ever said to yourself "I don't have a heart for missions."  I have... multiple times.  I felt that way up until I spent ~$1700 and six days of vacation time on a week long missionary trip to Ecuador.  Now, I wait in great anticipation for the next trip.

The 2011 Ecuador mission trip may be the single best investment of time and money I have ever made.  While I've not received the call for full-time mission work, the results I've seen in my own life back home are profound.

If you are looking for ways to obediently serve God, consider going with us to Ecuador this year.  There is still time to sign up.  Put your treasure -- money and time -- to work in the service of God, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the results.

This week I have had the opportunity to learn what it is to have a servant's heart. Even though it happened in Ecuador, I discovered the examples I should be following are very close to home.

I have had the privilege and honor this entire week of accompanying Heather and Melissa into the poorest neighborhoods of Guayaquil, Ecuador. I have been both humbled and inspired by these two friends.

Emotion overcomes me when I contemplate their compassion and unconditional willingness to perform whatever duty was required of them. I try to control my tears, so no one will think something is wrong with me. It is very difficult.

I watched all week as Heather and Melissa painted walls, prayed for women and children, and danced for God. I never heard a negative word or complaint. All I saw were two angels from God sent to Ecuador to bless my soul.

There are those of you who think you are too old or young to do missions work. Some of you think "oh, I'm not called to be a missionary." I've got news for you. We are all called to be missionaries by the very nature of the gospel mandate from God. There are no excuses.

When your next opportunity for missions comes along, think hard about accepting the call. Maybe you will find your own set of angels.

Jared

This year has been a journey for me so far.  God has used our Life Connections Sunday night class and the influence of my wife to put me on the road to discovering what it really means to have a heart for God.  It's still a work in progress.

In our class we've studied material from renowned pastors such as David Platt, Francis Chan, and Robert Morris, but it was "In His Steps" -- a book written 114 years ago -- that finally got through to me.  "In His Steps" challenged me to examine what I had really done in my life to sacrifice for God.  I found that the answer was very little --  37 years of largely wasted time.  Some may say I'm being melodramatic, but I'm convinced that a significant percentage of Christians have wasted their time and resources here on Earth.

Scores of folks have told me that God will use this mission trip to change my life.  I need exactly that.

Please remember us all in your prayers this week.

Jared