Barnabas Task

Jul

New relationships

Encouraging word,Missions

The amazing thing about planting a church is the new relationships that develop out of it. I went to Santiago, Dominican Republic to pray, fast and ask God for the city. I know that sounds naive and confident. Let me explan. I will be go back to Santiago again and again. I will eventually live there for a season. I will keep asking God for the city. I am one. There are others.

In that context and profoundly so, I believe a non-negotiable is building relationships with others including ministries, churches and pastors. I am asking God to bless and open the city, so that every ministry and church sees fruitfulness and dreams fulfilled.

After attending the 5 am prayer meeting last Saturday in Santiago I walked again, blessing the purposes of God. On Sunday, I went to a 5 pm combination prayer and information meeting about God touching the city, enlarging the hearts of pastors for missions and finally with the express purpose of unity amongst all. I was not aware of this until arrival in Santiago.

God is doing something amazing in this metro area of about one million people.

As can happen many times, those that were going to present were late. For this reason, I was asked to speak a few minutes. In the context of it all my sense was that God was going to bring “fire” to the city, burning up “wrong,” illuminating “right.” Paul Allyn and I had talked about ‘Missions” prior to this meeting. It was on our lips, in our hearts. There was a real sense of God speaking to pastors at this meeting about something other than themselves.

When the presenters of the evening came, there seemed to be a solid confirmation of what had been shared earlier.

Can we share with you what God helped us with? We had asked for prayer that the Lord would provide favor in the city. In the two meetings I attended with pastoral leadership of the city, God did just that. It was Him, arranging the timing of it all.

We proceed with what we feel is “favor” that God has provided. It is a good start. I am so happy for the new relationships that are birthing for us. We bless these new friends.