JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Acts 14:26.

This chapter of the Bible traces the missionary adventures of Paul and Barnabas as they went to different places to share the Gospel. Eventually, they went back to Antioch, which was their launching point.

As they arrived, they gathered the church together to report all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

When missionaries return to their launching point, the church that supports their work, they have the opportunity to share what God is doing through their work, and the church has the opportunity to celebrate with the missionary. Praise reports from the mission field have a way of showing the church how their support is making a difference for the Gospel, and energizes the church to continue supporting the work of missions.

This can happen on a personal level between friends too, where we share how we have seen God at work, and encourage one another to keep shining the light of the Gospel by being a faithful witness for Jesus.

Sharing praise reports of how God is at work is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on a praise report from two missionaries.

Sometimes, missionaries come back to the church from where they were sent to report on what God has done through their outreach. This also happened in the Bible.

Acts 14 traces the missionary adventures of Paul and Barnabas as they went to different communities to share the hope of the Gospel. Eventually, they went back to Antioch, their launching point.

According to Acts 14:26, on arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

When missionaries return to share their stories, the church has the opportunity to join in on the celebration of what God is doing. Sometimes, we might wonder what kind of impact our financial gifts or prayers, or letters of encouragement to missionaries is really accomplishing. Praise reports answer those questions and encourage the church to keep supporting the work of missions.

Praise reports from missionaries are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com