Blessed to Be a Blessing

the biblical perspective, and during that time, some of our views on missions have been confirmed, others have changed, and all have been challenged.

We came into the class with a solid, biblical understanding of missions, but the Lord has used this study to deepen our view of His heart for the nations. We’re seeing His global purpose more clearly than ever before.

In other ways, our perspectives have shifted. The Lord has used the weekly readings and instructors to stretch us, changing the way we see, think, and understand His mission. The readings include a variety of voices from different backgrounds and experiences, giving us a richer, broader picture of what God is doing around the world. Each week, guest speakers build on that learning, sharing their own experiences and helping us see missions through new lenses.

Even in the areas where our understanding has been affirmed, our faith continues to be challenged and refined. Brandy and I have spent time praying, processing, and at times wrestling through what the Spirit is teaching us. It’s been such a gift to learn and grow together.

God has used Perspectives as a powerful means of blessing in our lives, continuing to prepare us so that we can be a blessing to the Q’eqchi’ people of Guatemala. He has also blessed us financially through the generosity of others, reminding us that every gift is meant to flow outward.

Would you prayerfully consider taking some of the blessing God has given you and using it to bless us, so that together, we can bless the Q’eqchi’ people? Our desire is for a multitude of Q’eqchi’ men, women, and children to one day worship before the throne of God. May all of it, every act of giving, going, and sending, be to the praise of His glory.

In Genesis 12:2, God promises Abram that He will bless him and make his name great. But we can’t miss why God blesses Abram — the purpose behind the promise. God said, “so that you will be a blessing.” The “so that” is a purpose clause. God’s blessing always comes with a purpose: we are blessed to be a blessing.

That truth has been on our minds a lot lately. At the end of August, Brandy and I began a class at our sending church called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. Several missionaries and mission organizations had highly recommended it to us as an invaluable part of cross-cultural preparation, and now we see why! We’re eight weeks into the fifteen week course, and it has already been deeply shaping.

The course explores four key “perspectives” on missions: biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic. The first five weeks focused on