Newsletter December 2007

Dear Friends

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, may we cherish the, salvation, joy and peace found only in Him. And, as He has commanded, may we seek to love and serve Him by sharing the Gospel message with others around the world.

I would appreciate your attention to the message shared in this month’s newsletter by my friend and MSI trustee, Dr. Scott Miller. Scott is the senior pastor of Graceland Baptist

Church in Indiana. Scott has traveled to many of our MSI mission sites in Southeast Asia and the new Akot Medical Mission in Southern Sudan. His passion for missions is contagious. May you be blessed and challenged by Scott’s words.

I ask that you consider partnering with MSI, prayerfully and financially, as we take the message of Christ to lost and suffering people around the world. This happens to be a particularly challenging time for us as God continues to lay

opportunities for ministry at our doorstep. And, as He provides, we will go. But, in order to do that, we need the support and encouragement of Great Commission believers like you...willing to stand and to kneel with us.

Thank you for your support. Merry Christmas!

Bill Deans, President

A primary theme throughout the book of Philippians is one of JOY – lasting joy. The word "joy," in its various forms, is used 16 times throughout the four power-packed chapters of this letter written by Paul while he was in Rome under house arrest. Wherever Paul was, whether answering the Macedonian call to plant the first church in Europe at Philippi, or tethered to a Roman guard, he was a missionary. He was committed to be a distributor of the joy-filled message of redemption and hope. In Philippians 4:22 Paul says, "All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household." Apparently, even when most of us in similar circumstances might be complaining or depressed, Paul is a missionary – leading those in Caesar’s household to saving faith in Jesus Christ. The Philippians and the Romans, although they had never met, are called brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing world-wide joy that only Jesus can bring. Likewise, you are brothers and sisters to people in Africa and Asia, and we send you their greetings through this newsletter.

You too are a missionary!

All of us are invited to be God’s assistants in the distribution of the gospel. This Gospel task is not only reserved for the missionaries or the super saints. How can we become Great Commission partners? First, we must share God’s perspective for

Reaching people on the missions field often requires somewhat extraordinary means...a recent trip to visit several remote MSI mission sites in the jungles of Southeast Asia required a motor boat to navigate narrow canals.

reaching all people groups of the world. Demographers tell us that there are over 6.6 billion people on the planet, consisting of 11,600+ groups of people with common history, culture, religion, and language. Of these, 3.6 billion are considered un-reached with less than 2% evangelical believers. Over 1.6 billion people have not been exposed to church planting efforts or significant evangelistic movements. Their Great Commission work is yet to be done. The encouraging news is that we have the resources to reach the world. We have the sending power of the Holy Spirit, along with unprecedented technology, travel options, and dollars to see the Great Commission accomplished in this century. We just need to share these resources. As someone has stated, "The Great Commission is not a supply problem; it’s a distribution problem. Our goal at Mustard Seed is to reach the un-reached with the indescribable joy of the gospel.

Prayer is the number one strategy

We must pray. Prayer is the first, foremost, and foundational mission strategy. In the October 17 devotion of My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers says, "Prayer does not equip us for the greater works – prayer is the greater work. Prayer is the battle." Pray for God’s servants in the field, and pray that God will release more harvest workers.

The Joy of Giving

So, during this Christmas season, would you join God in distributing world-wide joy? Join Jesus’ mother in her ancient song of joy. Experience the joy of the Magi as the star points to the blessed Child, the Lord Jesus. Join us at Mustard Seed as we take the joy of Jesus across the planet. Until He comes, we must go! Be like the apostle Paul – wherever you are, be a missionary. Charles Spurgeon said, "All Christians are either missionaries or impostors." We who serve Jesus Christ through the Mustard Seed do so with great joy, and we thank God for all of you who are partners with us. On behalf of all whom you are touching with the gospel around the world, we bring you Christmas greetings and say, "Thanks and Merry Christmas!"

Dr. Scott Miller

Senior Pastor, Graceland Baptist Church and MSI Trustee