This last month, I´ve enjoyed being part of the Guatemala Perspectives team.
Perspectives is a course - but also a movement! The course helps ordinary Christians understand God´s heart for all the nations, and to connect and get involved with what He is already doing in the world. It´s about mobilising God´s people for His global purpose.
Here in Guatemala, the course was first offered just a couple of years ago, and we have since offered 2 online courses. This year we went for an intensive in-person format, and had 20 students enjoying the chance to learn and understand more of God´s heart. It´s always encouraging to see how God transforms people thinking, as we study the 4 perspectives - Biblical, historical, cultural and strategic.
This year I had the privilege of teaching a class in the historical perspective covering some of the pioneers of missions. As I prepared for the class, I was struck by the range and variety of people that could have been included. So many women and men --- in fact twice as many women than men -- who have followed God´s call on their lives, in spite of doubt and opposition from others. Several of them were actually rejected by mission agencies, but went ahead regardless, making their own road, and recruiting support along the way. So many opened doors not only for themselves and their own particular calling, but also created ways for others to follow.
That´s a challenge and an encouragement for me, as a leader of a mission agency -- to have eyes open to what God is doing in his followers - even when it doesn´t fit into our previous model or structure. We are presently exploring one particular way to do that - helping Jesus-followers to get international jobs using their professional skills. We´re just at the initial stages of considering if and how we can do this, but feel excited about the possibilities.
